§ MR. W. T. WILSONTo ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that telegraph messengers reaching the age of sixteen are being discharged from the Post Office, and in some cases re-employed as auxiliary postmen with little or no break in their service; whether this practice has been sanctioned by him; and whether the employment of these lads on postmen's work, depriving them as it does of any opportunity to learn other occupation, does of itself constitute a claim to appointment.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) I do not encourage the employment of ex-telegraph messengers as auxiliary postmen; but in some cases they press very strongly to be admitted to such employment. But no claim on the Post Office is created by the acceptance under the conditions of the employment in question.