§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General what is the present rate of recruitment of youths for specialised training on the engineering side of the Post Office.
§ Mr. BevinsThe present rate of recruitment of engineering youths-in-training has been increased to a target of 1,330 for the financial year 1960–61 as compared with 1,092 actual recruits in 1959. 1,260 youths had been recruited by 31st October, 1960.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General what further stops he is taking to increase the rate of recruitment on the engineering side of the Post Office in order to have available sufficient skilled personnel for the increased mechanisation of telephone and Post Office services.
§ Mr. BevinsThe need for increased recruitment on account of mechanisation cannot be isolated. Engineering recruitment is, however, being expanded and there has been a net increase in the last six months of some 3,000 adult engineering staff. We are seeking to augment recruitment of graduate scientists and technologists by visits to universities and colleges of advanced technology; by means of our Student Apprenticeship Scheme started this year; and through bursary awards to existing Post Office staff.