HC Deb 03 March 1910 vol 14 cc982-3
Mr. WILLIAM THORNE

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that advertisements are appearing in various newspapers for postal telegraph clerks; and if he can state how it is that the various Government Departments are not using the Labour Exchanges?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I think the hon. Member is referring to advertisement issued by commission sub-postmasters who desire to obtain assistants. Such assistants do not enter the Post Office service but are the servants of the sub-postmaster, who is allowed to engage them where he pleases. In many cases knowledge of telegraphy and other expert knowledge unlikely to be found at a Labour Exchange are required. For its own service the Post Office would certainly avail itself of the Labour Exchanges in proper cases if it had any difficulty in obtaining labour.