§ MR. SOARESI beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether it is proposed to make any provision in this year's Estimates for grants of compassionate gratuities to unestablished postmen who have been discharged through ill-health; and, if so, of what nature.
LORD STANLEYIt is proposed to make provision in the Estimates for 1904–5 for the grant of small compassionate gratuities, at the discretion of the Postmaster-General, to unestablished officers of the Post Office who retire through ill-health or age with not less than fifteen years service who are in need of assistance, and who are not eligible for any award under the Superannuation Acts. If Parliament sanctions 727 the proposed provision, I shall be enabled to meet numerous cases of hardship for which at present no remedy is available. But in order to avoid disappointment, I must add that I fear it will not be possible to apply the grant to cases of retirement before the 31st March next.