§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the Postmaster-General whether the proposal to abolish an overseership for night duty at the Hull telegraph office has been made with full regard to several important considerations affecting this office, that is, that the post of night overseer has always carried with it great responsibility; that Hull is the only important telegraph office on the east coast open during the night from Newcastle-on-Tyne to a considerable distance south; that among other requirements communication has to be maintained with Flam-borough Head and Spurn Point signal stations for the purpose of their all-night services; if he has considered the question whether the consequent responsible duties call for the continuance of an officer of the rank of overseer; and whether the night telegraph service connected with Hull would be seriously impaired by such reduction of the establishment?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONAll the relevant circumstances were fully considered before the decision to abolish the night telegraph overseership at Hull was given. I am satisfied that the conditions at that office do not warrant the attendance throughout the night of an officer of the rank of overseer, and that the efficiency of the Hull telegraph service will not be impaired by the withdrawal of the post.