§ MR. JAMES O'CONNOR (Wicklow W.)To ask the Postmaster-General if he will state what practice is followed in enforcing retirement from the postal service at sixty years of age; and whether in any offices discretionary power is exercised in extending the period of service.
(Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) The rule is that all pensionable officers of whatever grade whose conduct, capacity, and efficiency fall below a fair standard shall be called upon to retire at sixty; but retirement at sixty is not enforced in the case of officers whose conduct is good, and who are certified by their superior officers to be thoroughly efficient.