§ Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that an order has been issued in the Central Telegraph Office to the effect that junior telegraphists are to be pushed along as rapidly as possible when finishing their course of instruction; whether, in view of the recommendation of the Cramp Committee that special care should be devoted to the training of young telegraphists, he will say if this instruction was issued with his knowledge and approval; and whether he is aware that these young telegraphists, who are in receipt of only 7s. per week, are being employed in the telegraph galleries in the transcription of public telegrams from Morse slip instead of gaining experience in instrument-working, and thereby retarding their progress to proficiency, which would entitle them to increased pay upon qualification in instrument-working?
§ Captain NORTONI am aware that an effort is being made to expedite the training of learners in the instrument galleries in the Central Telegraph Office after they have passed through the usual course of instruction in the telegraph school, and I am satisfied that their training is not being prejudiced thereby. It is to the interests of the learners that they should qualify as early as possible. The employment of learners on the transcription of telegrams from Morse slip under proper supervision accelerates their attainment of proficiency in this essential branch of their work.
§ Mr. BOWERMANasked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the circumstances of Messrs. Courtney and Richardson, two telegraphists employed in the Central Telegraph Office; whether he is aware that these two officers, although performing their duties efficiently at the Chief Telegraph Office, are suffering considerable reductions in pay as the result of their previous transfers from higher grade to lower grade offices and whether, in view of the similarity of 2830W the circumstances to those of the Leeds operator whose wages were recently adjusted, he can see his way to favourably recommend to the Lords of the Treasury an increase in the pay of the two telegraphists referred to commensurate with their experience and the status of the off3ce in which they are now employed?
§ Captain NORTONThe circumstances of the two telegraphists, which I will explain to the hon. Member by letter, are in no way comparable with those of the sorting clerk and telegraphist at Leeds to whom the hon. Member refers, and I regret that I cannot see my way to comply with the hon. Member's request.