§ LORD EUSTACE CECILsaid, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether it is the intention of the Government to establish Savings Banks, Annuity, and Insurance Offices wherever Money Order Offices or Savings Banks Offices already exist in the United Kingdom; and whether it is the intention of the Government to raise the remuneration of all Postmasters who are willing to undertake the management of Money Order, Savings Banks, and Insurance Offices, with a view to an increase of those Offices throughout the Country?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, in reply, said he was not aware that necessity existed for the adoption of any special measures in order to procure an increase in the number of insurance and savings banks offices in connection with the Post Office. The establishment of these offices required much consideration. Their extension, however, had been very rapid. For instance, in the course of last year, 1865, the number of new Money Order offices was 300, and the new Post Office savings banks, 240; while 1,500 Money Order offices and 2,000 offices at which the business of insurance and annuities was transacted had been opened. The total at the close of the year stood thus: The Money Order offices numbered 3,500 and the savings bank offices 3,300. it would, therefore, be seen that the process of increase in the number of these offices had been a rapid one, and he saw no reason for departing from the present system of dealing with them. Again, with regard to the remuneration of Postmasters, that question as it affected Post Offices and savings banks was held in suspense for a certain time, till sufficient experience had been gained to enable the Government to arrive at a conclusion in respect 1439 to the system. It had now, however, been settled.