§ Mr. STEADMANasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a recent Board of Trade Report shows that the numbers of auxiliary postmen in the United Kingdom have been increased by something like 800 in the last two years; and, seeing that this increase is contrary to the spirit of the Report of the Select Committee on Post Office servants, whether he will take steps to reduce the number of auxiliaries employed by the Post Office?
§ Mr. BUXTONI do not accept the figures given in the question, but I have been making inquiries upon this subject. I may, however, assure my hon. Friend that every effort is made and will continue to be made to keep down the numbers of auxiliaries employed and to create full-time duties, where this can be done with due regard to the interests of the public and of the staff