§ 43. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Postmaster-General how many vacancies exist in the counter and telegraph staff of the London Postal Service; how many qualified learners on the London Postal Service list and the Central Telegraph Office list, respectively, are now in the telegraph school awaiting appointments; and whether he proposes to establish all the qualified learners available in London before sanctioning the transfer of provincial officers?
§ Captain NORTONThere are nine vacancies for male counter clerks and telegraphists and sixteen for female counter clerks and telegraphists in the London Postal Service. For these appointments there are no fully qualified learners on the London Postal Service list. There are fifteen male learners on the Central Telegraph Office list who are qualified in telegraphy; eight of these will be appointed to existing vacancies, the other seven will be appointed before they have completed two years' service; but owing to the necessity for strengthening the operating force in the Central Telegraph Office the other vacancies now existing will be filled by the transfer of experienced provincial officers.
§ 44. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a memorial from the executive of the Postal Telegraph Clerks' Association regarding meal reliefs and late duties in the Central Telegraph Office, together with requests asking him to receive a deputation on these subjects; and whether, in view of the dissatisfaction consequent upon the present system, he will expedite the reply to the memorial and receive a deputation at an early date?
§ Captain NORTONI have received the memorial referred to, and am about to reply to it.