§ MR. SCHWANN (Manchester, N)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that certain women season substitutes in the Central Telegraph Office, London, have been informed that their services are to be discontinued, and that some of these telegraphists have been employed for a number of years in this department, and have proved themselves efficient during this period, he can take steps to retain their services.
LORD STANLEYThe services of most of the women season substitutes in the Central Telegraph Office have been retained up to the present, and so far as they can be usefully employed their services will be continued, but, owing to the diminution of telegraph work in that office, it is doubtful whether this course can be justified much longer.