§ MR. NANNETTII beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that arising out of the Tweedmouth Committee recommendations, authority was granted for the employment of seven clerks on the public counter duties of the General Post Office, Dublin, he will state the number of sorting clerks and telegraphists employed on these duties during the past twelve months and the number of days they have been so employed, and explain why the performance of those duties has been relegated to the officials of the lower class.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe hon. Member has been misinformed. No clerks for counter duties were authorised as a result of the Tweedmouth Committee recommendations, and there was at no time so many as seven clerks on counter duties. The number of clerks required for such duties was decided last year after very full consideration, and I am not prepared to re-open the question.