§ Sir JOHN BETHELLasked the Postmaster-General whether, between January and June of this year, over 1,000 hours were spent on public work by learners in the Central Telegraph Office who had not passed the necessary test for accuracy in 3201W transcribing Morse slip; whether an inspection of the school diaries has been made with a view to investigating these facts; whether a notice has been posted in the school urging learners to practise in their own time, in consequence of their general progress being retarded by their transference to the galleries whilst they should be receiving instruction in all types of telegraph instruments; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into this interference with the course of instruction, both in the interest of the public work and the proper training of learners within the prescribed hours?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI can add nothing to the answer given on the 6th and 14th June last on this subject except that the notice to which the hon. Member refers had no connection with the employment of learners away from the school, but was issued in the hope that they might qualify earlier in their own interests. No such inquiry as that suggested is in my opinion necessary, as the ordinary procedure only has been followed.