§ SIR J. BETHELL (Essex, Romford)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the telegraph school at the Central Telegraph Office is greatly overcrowded, and that repeated complaints have been made by those responsible for teaching the male and female learners; whether the chief medical officer has inspected this part of the building since these complaints have been made; whether his Report can be made known; and whether he can state when the necessary alterations will take place.
§ (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The large room formerly allocated to the learners' school was only partly occupied. In August last the urgency of demands for space necessitated the use of the room for other purposes, and the school was removed to one of the instrument galleries; but it was found that at a certain hour in the afternoon the space there was somewhat overcrowded. The medical officer inspected the school in August, and again recently, and was of opinion that measures for relief were necessary. Temporary relief was afforded, and arrangements for further relief are about to be carried out. No formal complaints have been made by the teaching staff. The sick absence of the learners is below the normal.