§ MR. H. CAMPBELL (Fermanagh, S.)asked the Postmaster General, Whether it has come to his knowledge that Mr. Walter Ahern, the Surveyor of the Northern Postal Division of Ireland, is about to seek retirement on pension; if so, upon what grounds, what is his present length of service, and what will be the probable amount of pension to which he will be entitled; whether it is a fact that he has only retained his present position as surveyor for about six years; whether there is any limit of age for candidates applying for vacant surveyor-ships; and, if not, will he consider the advisability of fixing the limit of age for applicants not to exceed 40 or 45 years, so as to insure that the appointment 1666 will fall to a man of sufficient energy, who will not seek it for the purpose of retiring a few years subsequent to its being conferred upon him on the increased pension which retirement from the position entails; and, whether he will consider the question of transferring the present headquarters of the Northern Division from Dublin, which is 45 miles beyond the southern limit of that district, to a more central point in the Division?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)I have no knowledge whatever of Mr. Ahern's intentions. He has about 38 years' service. The other question will receive consideration whenever the occasion arises.
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)asked if it was the fact, as stated in the Question, that the headquarters of the Northern Division were in Dublin?
§ MR. RAIKESsaid, there was no doubt that the present headquarters of the Northern Division were in Dublin. He would, as he had said, consider the question of their transference when the occasion arose.