§ MR. P. A. McHUGH (Leitrim, N.)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Bartholomew Somers, who died at Dromohair, country Leitrim, on 17th March last, had been rural postman for thirty years; will he say whether Somers would have been entitled to a retiring allowance at the time of his death had he applied for it; and whether, in view of this man's character during his period of service and the circumstances of his widow and family, he will consider the advisability of making a compassionate allowance to them.
(Answered by Lord Stanley.) I am aware that Somers was employed for nearly thirty years; but he had held an established appointment for little more than three years. Only his established service was of a character that could have been taken into account for superannuation purposes. During his previous service his duties did not require his whole time, and such service is not pensionable. In these circumstances Somers would not have been eligible for a pension if, before his death, he had been certified to be unfit for further service. At the most, a gratuity calculated on the short period of his established service could have been obtained for him. I regret that, as the Superannuation Acts made no provision for the widows and families of deceased Civil servants, it is not in my power to obtain a compassionate allowance for Somers' widow and family.