§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELLI beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he will say how may sub-postmasters are employed in Ireland; what are their hours of duty; what salaries and commissions do they receive; what rental allowance do they get every year; what are their prospects of promotion to higher branches of the service; what is the proportion of the total post office revenue earned by sub-postmasters; and whether he intends 636 to take any steps to improve the position of this body of public servants.
LORD STANLEYThere are about 2,680 county and 205 town sub-offices in Ireland. The former are usually open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the latter from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The salaries and value of the commissions vary according to the business done. No special allowance in aid of rent is given under the ordinary circumstances. Sub-postmasters are not as a rule qualified for advancement to higher branches of the service, but occasionally they obtain promotion to postmasterships. I am unable to say what proportion of the total post office revenue is derived from sub-offices. I have recently obtained Treasury sanction for improving, in certain directions, the remunerations of sub-postmasters, especially at the smaller offices, and instructions are being issued upon the subject.