asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many shorthand typists have been dismissed from the Registry of Friendly Societies, m consequence of a battery of dictating machines being substituted for shorthand writers; what amount of money will be saved in consequence; and whether the shorthand typists have been dismissed or placed in other Departments?

On the installation of dictating machines in the Registry of Friendly Societies the services of six shorthand writers were dispensed with. The saving consequent upon the change is estimated to be in the neighbourhood of £500 per annum. The six shorthand writers were transferred to other Departments in which vacancies existed.