§ Major ARCHER-SHEEasked the Postmaster-General whether he has recently informed the ex-soldier telegraphists in the Central Telegraph Office that he is unable to give them on appointment more than the highest age pay fixed by the Select Parliamentary Committee, which is that received by a telegraphist of twenty-one years of age; whether the introduction of soldiers as telegraphists was contemplated by the Select Parliamentary Committee; whether the average age of the twenty-five ex-soldier telegraphists concerned is thirty-one and their average weekly wage 27s.; whether he is aware that his predecessor resented the statement that these men were being recruited on the ground of cheapness; and whether he will approach the Treasury with a view to increasing their wages to the level of that received by other telegraphists of the same age in that office?
§ Captain NORTONThe facts are substantially as stated by the hon. Member. The wages of the telegraphists rise by annual increments of not less than 2s. to a maximum of 65s. The question of the employment of ex-soldiers as telegraphists did not come before the Select Committee, but the Committee recommended that persons entering the class of telegraphists at or over the age of twenty-one should receive the pay prescribed for twenty-one 590 years of age. If ex-soldier telegraphists were treated exceptionally in this respect it would be urged that similar exceptions should be made in the cases of ex-soldier postmen and porters, and a very large issue would be raised, inasmuch as presently nearly half the postmen will be drawn from that class.
§ Major ARCHER-SHEEWhy should that issue not be raised, considering that a memorial signed by over two hundred Members of Parliament has quite recently been presented to the Treasury on the subject?
§ Captain NORTONBecause the Postmaster-General considers that, on the whole, it is better to leave the ex-soldiers the option of applying for these posts even if their age may approach thirty.