§ MR. JOYCEI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether, in the inquiry which is to be made into the condition of the Post Office, Limerick, particular attention will be paid to the sorting office, which it is stated is unfit for the purpose, and also to the telegraph instrument room, the air of which comes mostly from a laneway where mews are situate; and is he aware that, since the parcels office was burnt down, the sorting of the parcels has to be carried on in what is little better than a corrugated iron shed; and whether he will have the defects complained of remedied as soon as possible.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe conditions of the Limerick Office are not at all so bad as would seem to be implied in the Question. The sorting office is small, but is fairly high and well ventilated, and will suffice without serious inconvenience till the new office is ready. In the instrument room only two out of nine windows look on to the lane mentioned, and while it is the fact that, since the fire, the roof and one side of the parcel sorting office are constructed of corrugated iron, no serious inconvenience arises from it. Plans for the enlargement of the office have been approved, and it is expected that the work will be begun in the ensuing financial year.