HC Deb 18 November 1912 vol 44 cc7-8
11. Mr. KEIR HARDIE

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a memorial from the inhabitants of Pant, Dowlais, asking that a public telephone be opened in the post office there; and whether he has been able to accede to the request?

12. Mr. EDGAR JONES

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman can arrange for the provision of a public telephone call office at Pant, Dowlais, in accordance with the request of the inhabitants, who are steadily increasing in numbers and find it difficult to reach existing call offices?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I have received the memorial referred to, and I am glad to be able to meet the wishes of the memorialists. The call office will be provided as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made.

15. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the number of men taken over from the National Telephone Company in the provinces who receive wages of 25s. or less per week, and who have had, or will have, their allowances for lodging reduced by the Department to 6d. per night when called upon to perform duties outside the town in which they reside?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I will make inquiry, and acquaint the hon. Member with the result.

16. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked what number of years combined Post Office and National Telephone Company service will be required of the employés transferred from the late National Telephone Company as reestablished servants before they can be established.

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

There is not any fixed period of unestablished service which must be given before an officer transferred from the National Telephone Company can be placed upon the establishment, except in the case of telephonists, who must give two years' full time service after the age of sixteen. Officers so transferred who have been placed upon unestablished classes will come up for appointment to the establishment in the ordinary course as vacancies occur.

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

That is similar to an answer I received before.

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I cannot give any other answer because the answer represents the facts. As vacancies occur unestablished men will be appointed, but there is no fixed period of years.

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

Can the right hon. Gentleman not tell roughly how long a man may expect to be on the unestablished list?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

It depends on the growth of the work. The number of new established men that may be created and the number of men who may retire.