§ MR. WOOD (Down, E.)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there are at the present time five male learners at Londonderry Post Office fully qualified with no present prospect of appointment: and whether it is contemplated to take steps to provide situations for them and to discontinue the introduction of additional learners until the existing ones secure permanent employment.
(Answered by Laid Stanley.) There are at present six male learners employed at Londonderry; they are all qualified for appointment but only two of them have served for as long as twelve months at that office. Learners are admitted on the understanding that vacancies on the established class of sorting clerks and telegraphists occur at irregular intervals, and that no assurance can be given as to the time within which an established appointment will be obtained: they are given full-time employment as substitute sorting clerks and telegraphists whenever 1008 practicable. The question of reducing the number of learners at Londonderry is at present under consideration.