§ Mr. Freesonasked the Postmaster-General what is the annual rate of recruitment and training of telephonists compared with the numbers leaving the service; and to what extent the service has been maintained at the required establishment during the past two years.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterTelephonists are recruited locally and figures giving a complete answer are not readily available.
The table below shows that for the quarter ending 1st May, 1966, recruitment of men telephonists was well in excess of resignations, but recruitment of women just about kept pace with resignations. All recruits are trained in their duties.
Recruitment and Resignation rates for 3 months ending 1st May, 1966(as percentage of staff in post) Recruitment per cent. Resignations per cent. Men Telephonists 4.5 2.0 Women Telephonists 8.3 8.0 Vacancies as a percentage of the required establishment (full-time staff) for men and women as at 1st May, 1965 and 1966 are shown below:
Vacancies Establishment 1st May 1965 per cent. 1st May 1966 per cent. Men Telephonists 12,400 5.1 6.3 Women Telephonists 35,300 2.3 5.1