HC Deb 27 February 1912 vol 34 cc1186-8
Mr. WILLIAM ABRAHAM(Dublin, Harbour)

asked the Postmaster-General whether the positions of superintending engineers at the telegraph and telephone headquarters, Aldborough House, Dublin, were filled by military officers, in receipt of pay both from the War Office and the Post Office, and if those posts had hitherto been filled by civilians; whether military officers had also been placed in charge at Cork, Limerick, and Waterford; and if he would explain why he had substituted military men for civilians in this department of the Post Office?

Mr. NANNETTI

asked whether civilians who had been acting in the engineering department at Aldborough House, Dublin, were being superseded by Regular soldiers and ex-soldiers; whether those soldiers were receiving civil pay for their work as well as military pay; whether those soldiers were supposed to be in training for telegraph and telephone work and had to be taught by civilian engineers; and if, when promotion in the department was being made, preference was given by the military superintendent to soldiers and ex-soldiers, who were placed in charge of efficient engineers who served a long period of years in learning the details of the work, and in many cases were teachers of these men?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

Military officers are now employed on engineering work in Dublin and elsewhere in Ireland, as they have been employed for more than forty years in various parts of the United Kingdom, and they are paid at a composite rate which, in the aggregate, somewhat exceeds their military pay and allowances. Their numbers are no greater than before, but they are now employed chiefly in Ireland, rather than in England, at the wish of the War Office, which finds it can assimilate their training more closely to actual service conditions in Ireland. Naturally, this change results in the employment of fewer civilians on engineering duty in Ireland, and of more in the districts from which the Royal Engineers were withdrawn. The officers still serving as Royal Engineers cannot disturb the promotion of the civilians, since they are not on the same establishment. I am aware of no complaints of partiality or favouritism.

Mr. NANNETTI

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a promise was given in this House that when the superintending engineer retired on a pension the position would be filled by a civilian, and that that promise has not been carried out? Also, has a civilian who was in charge been sent to Glasgow, and a soldier appointed in his place? Is not this—

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member ought to give notice of these details.

Mr. MOORE

Having regard to the fact that the attack on these soldiers is entirely political, will any safeguard be provided for them in future legislation?

Mr. NANNETTI

I entirely repudiate that suggestion. May I ask for an answer to my question?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member asked three or four questions of detail in respect of certain individuals. He cannot expect the Postmaster-General to be able to reply on such points without notice.

Mr. NANNETTI

asked the Postmaster-General whether soldiers were being trained in Dublin and elsewhere in the engineering departments of the Post Office so as to be able to cope with any emergency in the telegraph and telephone service; if a portion of their duty was to learn such work as would fit them to act as strike-breakers in trade disputes; if during the late railway strike in Ireland they actually helped the railway companies, both by driving engines and handling goods; and whether at the present moment a company of engineers were being trained at Crewe and other stations for that purpose?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

The soldiers who are being trained in the engineering department of the Post Office are being so trained because it is desirable for military reasons that a certain proportion of soldiers should be acquainted with telegraph engineering duties. Since their employment has continued for over forty years it has no reference to recent or existing labour disputes. Neither in Dublin nor elsewhere are soldiers in the Post Office service trained to act as strike-breakers or employed on any other than the normal and ordinary duties of the Post Office. If any soldiers were engaged in driving engines or handling goods, they were not men attached to the Post Office. The last portion of the question refers to a matter of which I have no cognisance.