§ Mr. MARTINasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that telegraphists in the Central Telegraph Office are reported if they do not dispose of a certain average number of messages per 1446W hour; whether confidential instructions have been issued to the men's immediate supervisors to this effect; whether in addition the head superintendents are specially directed to see that the assistant superintendents and overseers carry out these instructions; whether it has been officially stated that the average system is not a check upon individual working; and whether, in view of the fact that the staff are reported if they do not deal with a certain number of messages per hour, and are also reported if their work is not accurate in every respect, he will direct that this system of espionage and speeding-up shall cease?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe hon. Member's question appears to be based on a misapprehension. There is no system of averages for the work of individual telegraphists in the Central Telegraph Office or elsewhere. It is the duty of supervising officers in that office, as in all offices, to see that the work is properly done by the staff.