§ MR. O'HANLONI beg to ask the Postmaster General whether the post-masterships of Cavan and Letterkenny are at present vacant; if so, how long respectively is each vacant, and what is the cause of the vacancy in each instance; whether there is any present intention of filling these vacancies; and, if so, what is the reason of the delay in making the necessary appointments, and when will they be made; and if ho can state what has been the cost to the Post Office Department, in each case, of maintaining these offices "in charge" from the date of the vacancy arising until the 1st instant, including the cost of finding substitutes, if any, in respect of the men who are now acting as substitute postmasters in Cavan and Letterkenny, in the offices from which each is respectively withdrawn?
§ * THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES,) Cambridge UniversityThe vacancy in the Post Office at Cavan has been filled, but there is still a vacancy in the Post Office at Letterkenny. The late postmistress there has been superannuated, and the question which had to be settled was the amount of her pension. I am not in a position to state the cost to the Department of maintaining these offices in charge from the 858 date of the vacancies. Owing to the shortness of the notice given by the hon. Member, I have not been able to obtain all the information I have asked for.
§ MR. A. O'CONNORHow long has the vacancy at Letterkenny existed, and how long is it likely to remain?
* MR. RAIKLSI think it has existed for about Seven weeks. It generally takes about two months to fill up one of these vacancies.
§ * MR. RAIKESI will inquire.