HC Deb 02 April 1946 vol 421 c177W
149. Mr. Garry Alliģhan

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that 14254816 Sergeant W. Cooper, and 14338700 Driver J. Barnes, Malta Command Signals, have been released in Class B to take up work as G.P.O. telephonists, and that these releases have caused annoyance among men in the same unit with longer service, in view of the fact that girls have been acting as telephonists hitherto; and why these men are being released ahead of their group.

Mr. Isaacs:

During the war a large proportion of the night telephone work, normally proper to men, was undertaken voluntarily by women, but it is no longer possible to maintain an adequate service by these means and, as announced in the Debate on the Adjournment-on 24th January, the release of a number of experienced-male night telephonists from the Forces in Class B is necessary to deal with the growing night traffic. The men are selected under the normal Class B block release arrangements.