§ MR. CLAUDE HAY (Shoreditch, Hoxton)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, in communications dated the 5th and 7th of April, a telegraphist named Booth, employed at the Central Telegraph Office, was informed that his retirement from the service must be proceeded with, and that his pay would cease after the 14th inst., in consequence of telegraph cramp, and that on the 17th of April the case was under consideration, the telegraphist having been sent for after a Question relating to his case appeared on the Notice Paper of this House; and whether he can now state whether the instructions contained in the letter of April 7th are to be definitely cancelled.
(Answered by Lord Stanley.) I informed the hon. Member, in reply to his Question on this subject on the 19th ultimot†, that the necessity for Booth's retirement was reconsidered on the 10th ultimo, and instructions were given on that day for his pay to be continued. That was some
†See page 580.1029 days before a Question on the subject appeared on the notice board. I have now given instructions that Booth should be transferred to another duty, and the notice of the 7th ultimo relative to his retirement will not be acted upon.