§ MR. NANNETTII beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he is aware that although there are learners in the Dublin Post Office who cannot obtain more than 6s. per week, employment is found in the sorting office at a higher rate of remuneration for auxiliaries who have no claim whatever on the department; and, if so, will he see that this is remedied, and something done to enable the learners to increase the stipend of 6s. per week. I beg also to ask the Postmaster-General if he is aware that there are numbers of young men and young women acting in the capacity of learner in the Dublin Post Office for periods ranging from over one to more than two years, and that notwithstanding that they are fully qualified for some time cannot obtain more than 6s. and 5s. per week, respectively; and, if so, will he say whether he has received petitions from them asking for more pay; and if he is now in a position to state what steps he proposes to take to grant these learners increased pay.
§ THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Lord STANLEY, Lancashire, Westhoughton)It will perhaps be convenient for me to reply to the two Questions together. I have received petitions from the Dublin 1112 learners for higher pay and am dealing with the matter in connection with the general question of the remuneration of learners. I hope to be able shortly to announce my decision on the subject. I should like to have some explanation of the words "employment is found in the sorting office at a higher rate of remuneration for auxiliaries, etc." I confess I do not understand that.