§ CAPTAIN DONELANOn behalf of the hon. Member for Cork I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to the case of the male telegraph learners in the Cork Office who have recently qualified, and who are still on half pay; and, if so, will he explain why these qualified officers are compelled to perform two hours work per day in the sorting office without remuneration on the ground of learning their duties.
LORD STANLEYI have made inquiry, as I promised the hon. Member, and I find that two male learners, who qualified recently for appointment, but for whom there are at present no full time duties on which they can be employed, have given two hours additional attendance in the sorting office for the purpose of enabling them to maintain their efficiency in postal work. They continue to rank as learners, but if an opportunity occurs for giving them full-time employment, 1253 their oases will not be lost sight of. A revision of the staff is now under consideration.