§ MR. J. F. X. O'BRIEN (Cork)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, in reference to the Cork General Post Office, whether the female telegraphists in that office who entered in 1893, and who hold Civil Service Certificates since 1897, and who are doing appointed clerks' duty but not appointed themselves, will be entitled to the privileges of appointed clerks such as full pay when on sick leave; and whether the number of years of unappointed service will be counted in the case of pension or marriage portion.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe hon. Member is understood to refer to two women learners at Cork; so long as they are unestablished they will not be entitled to more than two-thirds 204 pay when on sick leave; the only portion of their unappointed service which could be counted in the case of pension would be the period of full time service immediately previous to and continuous with their appointed service. Marriage gratuities are calculated on established service only, but the periods of full time unappointed service would be allowed to count towards the qualifying period of six years necessary to entitle an officer to be awarded such a gratuity.
§ MR. J. F. X. O'BRIENWhat is the cause of the long delay in the appointment?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI think I have already answered a Question as to this. If not I must ask for notice.