§ Mr. R. RICHARDSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware 1946W that, prior to March, 1918, the Signal Office at the General Headquarters, Great Britain, was staffed by thirteen civilian telegraphists and one overseer in charge, under the control of the Postmaster-General; that from that date military telegraphists have been substituted; that the staff now consists of two commissioned officers, two batmen, four orderlies, one cook, six dispatch riders, one instrument repairer, and twelve operators; that the work has decreased to a point when it could be adequately dealt with by a civilian staff of two telegraphists; whether this establishment, which involves the payment of full civil pay and allowances, plus full military pay and allowances to all the Post Office men who are being kept under military control, is being maintained in order that the Government may be in a position to direct the movements of troops in the event of industrial unrest; and whether, having regard to the necessity for national economy and in order to release the men concerned for demobilisation, he will permit the Postmaster-General to once more staff this office?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am informed that the statement that the work of the office in question has fallen to a point at which it could adequately be dealt with by a civilian staff of two telegraphists is not in accordance with the facts. In certain respects the work of the office has considerably increased since March, 1918, and the average number of messages does not show any great reduction. The office is open night and day, and the eleven operators work in three reliefs of eight hours each. They have also to be ready to deal with temporarily increased traffic and work longer hours individually when necessary. It is considered desirable that this office should continue to be staffed with military personnel for the present.