§ MR. J. F. X. O'BRIENI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he can state the present number of unestablished clerks in the post office, Cork, whether there are any vacancies now; and, if so, how long they have been unfilled; have some of these youths been over two and a half years in office, and what are the general prospects for appointment, and will he recommend that at least one-half of these be appointed before others are advertised for; and, in future, will he insert in the announcement for learners the conditions showing that all qualifying are liable to be kept unappointed, and also their wages, for some years after appointment, and the condition that they will not be credited with this service.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThere are eighteen learners employed at Cork, and there are at present two vacancies for men sorting clerks and telegraphists, one of which has been unfilled since the end of October, the other only since the beginning of last month. Two learners—the only learners with more than two and a half years service—have been nominated to fill the vacancies, and their cases are being proceeded with. The cause of the delay in filling the earlier vacancy is being inquired into. In order to obtain and train a sufficient number of learners for the service it is necessary to forecast the probable requirements of an office for some time in advance, but in doing so care is taken, as far as practicable, not to take on a larger number of learners than can probably be provided with established places within about two years. It is, however, impracticable, with due regard to the requirements of the service, to adopt the course suggested in the latter part of the question.