§ MR. JOSEPH DEVLINI beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the staff in the stamp-selling department of the Belfast General Post Office is limited to two clerks, whereas four clerks would be necessary to deal satisfactorily with the volume of business; that, in consequence of the want of a late-fee box in the interior of the building, the public are obliged to go to Garfield Street in order to post late-fee letters; that the condition of the post boxes in Garfield Street is defective in regard to construction, position, lighting, and time tables; and, if so, whether he will order an inquiry into these matters with a view to having any further cause of complaint in regard to them removed without delay.
LORD STANLEYThe staff employed in selling stamps at the counter of the Belfast Post Office consists of two officers, and that number is found to be sufficient for the work. It is not 732 usual to provide late—fee boxes at public counters, and I am not aware that inconvenience is caused by the present arrangement. I am assured that the construction, position, and lighting of the posting boxes in Garfield Street are satisfactory, but I will see whether an improvement can be made as regards the exhibition of the posting notices.
§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)Arising out of the reply, may I ask has the noble Lord taken into consideration the fact that the late-fee box is in a corner and strangers doing business in the post office do not see it?
§ MR. SLOANWell, I may tell the noble Lord that I myself when in the post office have been asked by persons where the late-fee box is.
§ MR. JOSEPH DEVLINIs it not a fact that it requires four clerks to do similar work in the Dublin office?