Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that a number of construction hands in the engineering department have recently been dismissed; if so, whether he will state the reason why they were discharged; and 715W whether he will take steps to provide these men with employment during the winter months?
§ Mr. BUXTONI am sorry that it has been necessary to pay off construction hands in consequence of temporary scarcity of work. During the past 18 months it became necessary to take on a considerable number of extra hands for some special engineering work involved in the strengthening and partial reconstruction of some of the main telephone trunk routes in the North of England which could not be delayed. This special work has now come to an end, and the general quantity of Post Office engineering work in the country has reverted to its normal level. Before men are paid off in one district inquiries are made as to the possibility of finding work for them in other districts, and discharges are not made so long as work remains to be done in any district. The men already paid off will be taken on again as soon as circumstances permit.