§ MR. BYLES (Salford, N.)To ask the Postmaster-General whether certain telegraphists from the Central Telegraph Office, London, are sent to the special wires in connection with the London offices of provincial newspapers; whether ten of these men have complained to their supervising officers that, although they accepted this duty for four years, and signed for this period, the length of time had been considerably reduced; whether they were ordered to note this decision without comment, and were denied access to the original papers; and whether he will investigate the circumstances.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) I am assured that none of the men, whose period of service in the newspaper offices has been now fixed at three years, accepted the duty for four years or signed for that period. The shorter period has been fixed for the advantage of the service generally and in order to allow a larger number of telegraphists to share in a duty which is sought after.