§ Mr. HUDSONasked whether it has been decided to retain the services of the chief superintendent of telegraphs at Newcastle-on-Tyne beyond the age limit; whether due consideration has been given to the fact that this will retard the promotion of six officers in subordinate ranks; whether there are no fewer than fifty-five male operators, equal to 39 per cent. of the male staff, stagnated at the maximum of the telegraphists' wage scale, and that many of these operators have been in that position for several years; and whether, in view of these circumstances, the customary retirement at sixty years of age will be enforced?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe age of sixty, which will be attained next August by the chief superintendent of telegraphs, at Newcastle-on-Tyne is not correctly described as an "age limit" if it is meant that it is the age at which compulsory retirement is enforced; nor has it ever been customary to compel efficient officers of that age to retire against their will in order to provide promotion for others. I see no occasion to disturb the decision given.