§ 26. Mr. MONTAGUEasked the Postmaster-General whether the present practice in the telegraph service, particularly in the Central Telegraph Office, of delaying for considerable periods the filling of vacancies on the authorised establishments of supervising grades is to continue; and if he is aware that the arrangement for casual substitution on extensive lines, which is found to be necessary for the performance of the vacant duties, is detrimental to the public service and causing dissatisfaction among Post Office servants of long service who are fully qualified for promotion?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONIn view of the continued fall in telegraph work it is necessary whenever a telegraph supervising post falls vacant to consider whether it needs to be filled; and in many cases the post has to be cancelled. I cannot agree that the covering of a vacant post by substitution pending a decision is detrimental to the service, as the substitution is performed by officers who are candidates for promotion to the post if it is to be filled. The whole question of the Central Telegraph Office establishment is at present under review.
§ Mr. MONTAGUEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that since 1st January the number of these posts have 197 reached 25 and that all these are being undertaken by officers of lower rank?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI am not aware of the numbers, but as I have said in the last part of my answer the whole question is being considered.