§ Mr. BUTCHERasked whether three telegraphists at York have for some time been removed from the instrument room and placed on postal duties; whether they have been replaced by a learner fresh from the telegraph school, a female half-time learner, and a soldier, withdrawn 1533 from his regiment, receiving military and Post Office pay; and whether he will make inquiries as to the necessity for the displacement of the telegraphists, with a view to their return to their proper duties?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThree sorting clerks and telegraphists at York who have both postal and telegraph qualifications have recently been withdrawn temporarily from the instrument room to reduce overtime in the sorting office, because the only competent temporary assistants available had no knowledge of postal work but were qualified to do telegraph work. Sorting clerks and telegraphists are liable to be called upon to do any work, whether postal or telegraph, which the exigencies of the service may require. The three officers in question will return to the instrument room when their services are no longer needed in the sorting office. It is a recognised practice to employ qualified learners and military telegraphists as temporary assistants. With respect to the latter class I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question by the hon. Member for the Black friars Division of Glasgow on 23rd November, 1910.