§ Mr. CROOKSasked the Postmaster-General whether temporary women telephonists who have been in the Service for some time, and are competent employés, are being discharged, whilst young girls who have yet to undergo the necessary period of training are being added to the permanent staff; and whether, with a view to securing maximum efficiency in the telephone service, he will have this policy reconsidered and retain the services of telephonists who have shown their capabilities?
§ Mr. PEASEIt is desired to admit into the permanent service as many war-time temporary employés as is possible, having due regard to other interests; and I have arranged that temporary women telephonists in London who are eligible to obtain Civil Service certificates should be afforded the opportunity of nomination to appointments on the permanent staff. Some of the temporary women are, however, from one cause or another ineligible, and I much regret that there is no alternative but to discontinue their services when new recruits have been trained.
§ Mr. RAMSDENasked the Postmaster-General when he intends to repair the telephone wires from Brighouse to Manchester which were broken down on 29th January, and have so far only been repaired, about a fortnight ago, as far as Huddersfield, thereby causing inconvenience to the cotton spinners in the towns concerned, and making it difficult for them to carry on business?
§ Mr. PEASEThe storm of the 29th January caused extensive damage in the district referred to by my hon. Friend, and another storm on the 19th February put back the work of the engineers. Temporary repairs are nearly complete, the main lines having been taken first, and there should be no difficulty in making calls between Brighouse and Manchester.