§ Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Postmaster-General if he will state the grounds upon which he has reduced the established storekeepers in the engineer-in-chief's department from three to one in London and from thirteen to nine in the provinces?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe system of distributing Post Office engineering stores is in course of reorganisation. The depots of the superintending engineers are being broken up, and in each district several small working stocks will take their place. With these working stocks, which will be in charge of linemen, no bookkeeping will be necessary. The efficiency of the service will, I hope, be considerably increased by the change of system. The class of storekepers will be abolished as a consequence of the reorganisation; and the course to be taken with regard to the storekeepers rendered redundant will be considered in each case.
§ Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Postmaster-General if he will state the reasons for increasing the established clerical staff in the stores department whilst reducing the established manipulative staff in the same department?
1040W
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELSuch changes as may have taken place since the Select Committee recommended reorganisation of the stores department have been in the direction of assigning clerical duties to the clerical and manipulative duties to the manipulative staff. Possibly it is to these the hon. Member refers, but I shall be glad if he will supply me with further information of the changes he has in mind.