§ MR. NANNETTII beg to ask the Postmaster General if he is aware that stamping is largely done by sorting clerks and telegraphists at Dublin, while in other large centres, such as Glasgow, stamping is entirely confined to postmen; and can he say whether stamping comes under the strict limit of a sorting clerk's duty, and, if not, will he see that it is done by the proper officers.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINIt is not correct to say that the stamping of correspondence at Dublin is largely done by sorting clerks and telegraphists. The duty is mainly performed by postmen, but three sorting clerks and telegraphists are allotted to stamp the correspondence posted by Government Departments, and junior sorting clerks and telegraphists assist in the stamping of the ordinary correspondence when there is unusual pressure of work. Such work, although assigned to postmen, when the interests of the business require it is work which is also proper to sorting clerks and telegraphists and in which they have to qualify.