§ 9. Mr. ARTHUR HENDERSONasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that telegraphists at Leicester and at Edinburgh, owing to the disability of having contracted telegraphists' cramp, have been denied the increased pay recommended by the Holt Committee; and whether, having regard to paragraph 264 of the Holt Report that persons suffering from telegraphists' cramp ought to be transferred to other duties of their class, carrying the same scales of pay as that to which they were entitled as telegraphists, he will say if the withholding of the increased pay under these circumstances is with his knowledge and sanction?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIt is the case that some officers who suffer from telegraphists' cramp have not been allowed increased pay, because the necessary certificate of ability to perform the highest duties of their class could not be given in respect of them. No increment above the efficiency bar in the scale of pay can be granted in the absence of such a certificate; 380 and the Holt Committee reiterated the view expressed by earlier Committees, that the certificate should not be given on compassionate grounds. I shall be pleased to inquire into the circumstances at Leicester and Edinburgh if the hon. Member will supply me with further particulars.