§ 31. Mr. VIANTasked the Postmaster-General whether he is satisfied it is in the national interest that the Post Office engineers of the telephone service in London should continue to work overtime to the extent of 1,555,712 hours for the period from 1st January to 30th September, 1936, an increase of 146,888 hours in excess of the overtime worked for the 12 months of 1935, while recruitment has decreased by no less a number than 120?
§ Major TRYONI am satisfied that no effort has been spared to recruit additional staff as speedily as possible and thus to keep down the amount of overtime as far as has been practicable in view of the great increase in work. The rate of recruitment in 1936 as compared with 1935 has not fallen off but has increased, the average number of additional men engaged per month in London having been 55 last year and 60 in the first nine months of the current year.
§ Mr. VIANTIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the figures I have given here are the result of the figures in his last reply to me?
§ Major TRYONI am aware of that, and the figures are perfectly correct. The hon. Member talks of recruitment falling off whereas recruitment has been more rapid. He is comparing nine months of this year with the whole 12 months of last year.