§ 9. Mr. Boydenasked the Postmaster-General what recent steps he has taken to ensure that the percentage of juveniles aged 15 to 18 years attending day release classes in his Department now approaches more closely to the percentage obtaining in the other civil Departments.
§ Mr. MawbyThe percentage of attendance at the November, 1962, review was 68 per cent., an increase of 3 per cent. over 1961. We keep this matter under regular review and I am satisfied that every possible encouragement is given to staff to attend day release classes.
§ Mr. BoydenThere must be some difficulties here. What are they? Are the difficulties with the middle management grades who are unenthusiastic about this? Why cannot the Post Office get the percentage up to, say, 80 per cent., as some other Departments do?
§ Mr. MawbyNaturally, we are doing everything we can to get all our staff on this basis. Of course, attendance at vocational classes is already compulsory for engineering youths, but I am not satisfied that it would be justifiable in present conditions to extend compulsory attendance to the non-vocational classes.