§ MR. JOYCEI beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the effect of the admission of large numbers of unpaid learners to the Limerick Post Office, calculated upon the status of the service, the Department will see its way to discontinue the holding of competitive examinations until the present learners at Limerick have been placed on the establishment.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe class of unpaid learners at Limerick will be abolished as soon as practicable. All future entrants will be employed in a paid capacity and will rank for appointment below the present learners. In 1412 these circumstances, competitions will be held as usual when required.
§ MR. JOYCEI beg to ask the Postmaster-General how many male learners and female unpaid learners are attached to the postal and telegraph department in Limerick; and whether, in view of the lack of vacancies for established appointments at that office, he will say what steps the Department propose to take to provide for such learners within a reasonable time.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe number of male learners at Limerick is, at present, nine, of whom five are in receipt of pay, and of female unpaid learners there are three. During the last nineteen months the number placed on the establishment—viz., four male and four female learners, is, I think satisfactory, and two more female learners will shortly receive established appointments. In these circumstances I hope all the learners will be provided for within a reasonable time.