§ MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a very large number of telegraph messengers are employed on sorters' and postmen's work during the Christmas period; and whether he will issue instructions that only lads over sixteen years of age, who can be guaranteed nomination for full-time appointments within a reasonable period, shall be so employed this year, and that the places which cannot be filled under the above conditions shall be given to unemployed men.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) A certain number of telegraph messengers are employed at Christmas-time on postmen's work and a few on sorters' work, the respective work being that of which they have some knowledge. These boys are, as a general rule, over sixteen years of age and, as far as possible, established appointments will be found for them. In many cases their employment is only for a few hours on Christmas Day. General attention has been drawn to the desirability of giving work genuinely to unemployed men to the greatest extent practicable.