§ MR. CLAUDE HAYI beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether the number of men clerkships in the Post Office is being or has been reduced; whether the number of boy clerkships has been proportionately decreased; whether there has been any reduction in boy clerkships; and whether girls have been or are to be employed to perform duties hitherto performed by boy clerks, or duties which could be performed as well by boy clerks.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONNo general reduction in the number of male clerks is in contemplation; but at the Savings Bank Department there has been some decrease owing to recent rearrangements. The hon. Gentleman, I think, agrees in the view that the number of boys clerks should be diminished in view of the improbability of finding permanent employment for them all. The duties are assigned to girl clerks where they are suitable, but more girl clerks are not employed than can, if they give satisfaction, be retained in the service as women clerks.
§ MR. CLAUDE HAYThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of my Question as to whether girls are doing duties which could well be performed by boy clerks.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONThat is so. We desire to diminish, as far as we can, the number of boy clerks. Unfortunately, we cannot find employment for them, and we have to part with them at twenty years of age.