MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as, representing the Postmaster General whether he is aware that a portion of the work of the Dublin Sorting Office is being performed by auxiliary sorting clerks, although the Tweedmouth Committee recommended the abolition of auxiliary labour and the additional employment of permanent staff; and whether the increase of the established staff, promised last session by the Secretary to the Treasury, has yet taken place.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINEighteen temporary sorting clerks are at present employed in the Dublin Sorting Office, chiefly as substitutes for absent officers. A revision of the establishment will take place during the current year, and it is possible that a portion of the temporary force may then 781 be dispensed with; but it is not possible to say anything definite on this point at present. The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension in thinking that a promise was given last session that the established staff of the office should be increased. The statement made was that "a small permanent addition to the numbers employed in the evening" was contemplated, and such an addition has been made.