§ MR. JOYCEI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that the chief clerk, assistant chief clerk, and two sorting clerks and telegraphists, attached to the Limerick Post Office, have been performing duties in excess of their ordinary official hours without payment for Sundays and week days for a considerable time past; whether in the case of the two sorting clerks and tele- 1027 graphists, the duty is compulsory; and, if not, can he explain why it is done voluntarily; and, whether, if the extra attendance is necessary, provision will be made in the usual way. At the same time I will ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether the present duties in the Limerick Post Office are in accordance with the latest revision; and, if so, can he state what facilities have been given to the duly qualified members of the staff to obtain employment on the telegraph side with a view to their continued efficiency.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe circumstances are as stated by the hon. Member in his first Question. They are due to exceptional causes, and it is hoped that in the course of a few weeks the need for any unusual attendance will cease. The extra duty performed has been voluntary. In reply to the second Question, it is true that the duties of the Limerick Post Office generally are not yet fully in accordance with the revision as recently sanctioned, and there are still some officers who have not been able to become proficient in telegraphy, but steps are being taken for placing all the arrangements on a satisfactory footing.