§ MR. C. J. O'DONNELL (Newington, Walworth)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that certain increments of salary due to senior telegraphist in the Central Telegraph Office on the April 1st, 1906, have been withheld; that the officials concerned have not been informed of the cause of their punishment, no reason, in fact, being assigned; and whether he will now let these officials know how they have been in fault, and give them an opportunity of defence before withholding the increments of salary they have earned.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The question whether the increments of certain overseers and senior telegraphists in the Central Telegraph Office can be allowed is under consideration, and I am not yet prepared to announce a decision. The officers concerned were informed in March last of the grounds on which the allowance of their increment was in doubt, and were invited to offer any explanation they might have to give.