§ MR. HAMMOND (Carlow)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether, according to the Regulations of the Department, postmen, urban and rural, who have completed five years' service, and against whom no unfavourable record has been made, are entitled each to one good conduct badge, with increase of pay; whether he is aware that, in some of the Irish districts, postmen who have had periods of service much longer than five years, and against whom no unfavourable record has been made, have not received such badge or increase of pay; and whether he will direct that such postmen shall be allowed in future these advantages, and that they be now paid respectively the sums to which they would appear to have been entitled since they have completed five years' service?
§ * SIR J. FERGUSSONThe answer to the first question is in the affirmative; to the second in the negative. It is certainly intended that Irish postmen of good conduct shall receive equal treatment to those elsewhere. It is only since July, 1891, that good conduct badges have been unlimited in number, and it would not be possible to make the good conduct pay retrospective beyond that date in favour of men who, though qualified, had not attained to the badge.