§ MR. G. OSBORNE MORGAN (Denbighshire, E.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether, in view of the large number of vacancies which will be caused in Welsh post offices by reason of the superannuation of postmasters over 65 years of age at the end of the current year, he will take steps, as far as is consistent with the efficiency of the Service, to appoint only persons who speak and understand the Welsh language 483 to post offices in the districts where that language is generally used?
§ MR. RAIKESIt is not intended generally to superannuate Postmasters over 60 years at the end of the current year. A notice has, however, been given to those over 65 years of age that this course will be taken as regards offices in the gift of the Postmaster General. And it will, in my judgment, be necessary to require the retirement of those over 70 at a still earlier date. No such step, however, is in contemplation as regards the minor offices to which the Treasury nominates, and which are those to which the right hon. Gentleman's question probably refers, as these are often situated in backward and remote parts of the country. I have always taken care, with a due regard to the efficiency of the Service, to appoint persons who speak and understand Welsh to Post Offices in districts where that language is in general use.