§ Major COATESasked the Postmaster-'General whether the arrangements by which the one week's training of the special telegraph reservists is spread over an extended period was made to meet the convenience of his Department, as well as to enable the reservists to attend training at a minimum of expense; whether the actual cost of substituting these men is considerably less than the wages due in each case; and, if so, whether he can state why a full week's pay is being deducted this year?
§ Mr. BUXTONThe system under which the training of the Royal Engineer telegraph reservists is to be conducted in future is now under consideration by an Interdepartmental Committee. Special leave to attend the reservists' training this year is being granted under the regulations applicable to the members of the Territorial force. These regulations admit of the grant of special leave with civil pay only to men attending the training for a full fortnight. The training of the reservists was spread over an extended period because that was considered to be the arrangement best calculated to meet the convenience alike of the Post Office and of the reservists. The cost of substituting these men is not always less than the wages due.