§ MR. SCHWANN (Manchester, N.)To ask the Postmaster-General whether the recent alterations in the examinations for the position of second-class engineer were under consideration by the Department at the time the official witnesses gave evidence before the Bradford Commission; whether, in view of his declaration that telegraphists are not excluded from competition, he will state what steps the Department intend taking to give opportunities for operating telegraphists in their employ to undergo two years training in a suitable workshop attached to a college or University; and will he explain the reason for the reduction of the age limit, seeing that heretofore practical experience in the telegraph service has been considered of great advantage to the engineering department.
(Answered by Lord Stanley.). The scheme for throwing open to competition a certain proportion of the vacancies for second-class engineers was under consideration at the time referred to. There is nothing in the evidence given before the 1091 Wages Committee which is inconsistent with that scheme. The condition that candidates must have undergone at least two years training in a suitable workshop attached to a college or University, or under a firm of electrical or mechanical engineers, applies to candidates for those vacancies which will be filled by open competition. Officers already in the service will be eligible for promotion to the much larger number of vacancies which will be filled as before, and in this case the requirement of two years training does not apply. The limits of age, recently fixed, apply to open competition candidates only.