§ 32. Mr. LEONARDasked the Postmaster-General how many employés of the Glasgow Corporation are employed as part-time night telephonists in the Post Office telephone service; whether he has any information as to the average weekly wage received as first-grade clerks with the corporation; what is the average weekly wage received as part-time telephonists; and whether he will consider replacing them by unemployed clerks and other suitable unemployed persons?
§ The POSTMASTER - GENERAL (Sir Kingsley Wood)The number so employed is 16; but I have no information as to their average earnings with the corporation. The average weekly wage of the 16 men as part-time telephonists is 20s. 2d. The employment of part-time telephonists is generally regarded as undesirable, and unemployed persons if appointed to these posts would no doubt seek the first opportunity of finding full-time employment elsewhere. I am desirous of improving the efficiency of this service on the lines suggested by the Bridgeman Committee and by the experience of other telephone administrations.
§ Mr. LEONARDWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to ascertain how many of that type of labour are presently unemployed in Glasgow, and see if he cannot employ them without impairing the efficiency of the service?
§ Sir K. WOODI must refer the hon. Gentleman to the last Part of my reply. I desire, if possible, to follow out the recommendations of the committee which considered this matter.