§ Mr. JOWETTasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a number of labourers attached to his engineering Department and employed as wire-men have been discharged recently, and that lines consequently are falling into disrepair; and if, having regard to this aggravation of the unemployment problem, he will re-employ these men and thereby prevent his Department creating unemployment?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHThe amount of work for certain classes of labour has been diminishing for about the last two years as a result of the catching up of arrears of main construction work and other causes. It is not the case that lines are falling into disrepair through employment of insufficient staff.