§ MR. D. SULLIVAN (Westmeath, S.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that eight Dublin telegraphists received 12s. per diem allowance for 15 days' duty while at, Kylemore in August, 1892, in connection with the Naval Manœuvres; and that the same allowance was also given in 1891 to a Dublin telegraphist at Kingstown, also in connection with Naval Manœuvre duties; whether it is now his intention to reduce the allowance hitherto given from 12s. to 3s. per day; and, if so, for what reason; whether those Dublin telegraphists, who have recently been on Naval Manœuvre duty, are being compelled to furnish, against their will, a 3s. per diem claim in addition to the claim at the higher rate warranted by precedent and circumstances; whether it is by his instructions that these telegraphists are being forced to furnish two distinct claims, one of which they do not voluntarily make, and which, although compulsorily signed by them, is not their claim; and whether he will instruct the Dublin Local Authorities to submit for his consideration the claim for 12s. which these telegraphists make, without 154 compelling them to furnish an account which they do not voluntarily make?
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. A.) MORLEY, Nottingham, E.I find that at Kingstown in 1891, and at Kylemore in 1892, a subsistence allowance of 12s. a day was paid; but the circumstances were entirely exceptional, both places being crowded with visitors, and the price of lodgings being very high. There is no intention to reduce allowances. What was done on the occasions in question was to raise them to meet a special necessity. As to the latter part of the hon. Member's question, no instructions have been given, or, indeed, are necessary. The telegraphists know what will be paid, and if they claim more (which I think is scarcely likely) they will, of course, be asked to amend their claims.