§ MR. NANNETTITo ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the arrangements made by the telegraph authorities to cope with counter duty in the Dublin Office were inadequate on the Sunday previous to the Gordon-Bennett motor race; and, seeing that a number of French tourists were expected to arrive in Dublin on that day, can he explain why arrangements were not made to cope with the extra pressure, and why a junior member of the staff, who had no previous experience of counter duty, was employed at the Dublin telegraph counter during portion of the Gordon-Bennett week.
(Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) At one period of the day on Sunday, 28th June, there was considerable and unforeseen pressure at the counter of the Dublin post office, owing to the unexpected arrival of a special steamer conveying a number of French motorists. Arrangements were made to meet the exceptional pressure with as little delay as possible. An officer who had had no previous experience of counter work was employed at the Dublin telegraph counter on Monday 29th June, and performed the duty satisfactorily; but, 691 as the following days were likely to be busy, he was replaced by an experienced officer after that date.