§ MR. DELANY (Queen's Co., Ossory)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Miss Maria Blanc, assistant in Portarlington Post Office for the past twenty-eight and a half years, has been called upon to retire without gratuity or pension; and, if so, whether, in view of her long service and conduct, he will state upon what grounds this official has been retired, and why she has been refused either pension or gratuity.
§ THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN,) Worcestershire, E.Miss Blanc's retirement was carried out because she was reported to be no longer capable of discharging her duties efficiently. The conditions of her employment were not such as to render her eligible for either pension or gratuity on retirement.
§ MR. DELANYDoes the right hon. Gentleman think it to be in the public interest that an employee, after twenty-eight years faithful service, should be discharged without a pension?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe award of a pension or gratuity is regulated by statute, and I have no power whatever to vary the regulations.