§ Mr. WILESasked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that a number of male telegraph learners from the Central Telegraph Office have been waiting appointments to the establishment for nearly 12 months since the date on which their certificates of qualification were granted to 506W them; if he will state the number of ex-soldiers who have been placed on the establishment of this office during the year, and the number of temporary telegraphists employed, other than the 21 shown on the Estimates; and whether he will take steps to expedite the placing of these learners upon the establishment?
§ Mr. SYDNEY BUXTONI am aware that a number of qualified male learners at the Central Telegraph Office are awaiting appointment to the establishment. Under the recommendations of the recent Select Committee on Post Office Servants, no case for special action arises until the learners have completed two years' service as such. None of them has yet served for that period. During the present year two ex-soldiers, who had been employed for over twelve months as probationary telegraphists, and five Royal Engineer supernumeraries have been placed on the establishment. The total number of temporary male telegraphists employed is 19 in all, a reduction having taken place since the Estimates were printed.