§ Mr. GRUNDYasked the Secretary of State for War whether the Territorial Force authorities have drawn his attention to the reluctance of the Post Office telegraphists to re-enlist with their old units; whether he has been informed that the ex-commissioned warrant officers and noncommissioned officers who were formerly enthusiastic supporters of the telegraph company formed in the Central Telegraph Office, have, without explanation, declined to continue their connection with that body; whether these men, who were largely responsible for the formation of the company and who constituted its backbone, have given any reasons for their hostility toward the proposal to revive this signal company; and whether, having regard to the importance of securing the continued service of these skilled telegraphists, he will order an inquiry into the whole of the circumstances?
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§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI understand that the men in question feel aggrieved at the decision regarding their war gratuity. Their claims were very fully considered by the Government. None of these men have drawn less in the aggregate of civil pay plus war gratuity than other Civil servants serving in the Army, and it is not considered that they have any legitimate ground for complaint.