§ MR. CHIOZZA MONEY (Paddington, N.)To ask the Postmaster-General whether advertisements have been issued by his authority in the public press asking for applications by competent telegraphists for the position of season assistants; whether women answering the advertisement have been informed that the wages are £1 per week, and that only six months work can be promised; and whether he will seek to avoid an increase of casual female labour, especially in view of the fact that a number of qualified telegraph learners are waiting appointment throughout the country.
§ (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton). The hon. Member is under a misapprehension as to the effect of the advertisement in question. The interests of the learners now waiting for appointment at various offices throughout the country are in no way affected by the temporary employment of certain officers who may respond to the advertisements. The object of the arrangement is simply to assist to relieve the pressure which unfortunately cannot be avoided in the summer months, it being partly due to the natural increase in the work at that season, and partly to the absence of a considerable portion of the staff on annual leave, which the Post Office endeavours to give them as far as possible during the summer months. This pressure cannot be altogether met by permanent additions to the staff without great waste of force and money during the rest 1455 of the year. It is met partly by overtime, and it is my desire as far as possible to reduce excessive overtime and consequent pressure on the staff. The employment of temporary assistants is one of several expedients designed with that object which have been under consideration.