HC Deb 26 July 1905 vol 150 cc351-2
MR. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he has received two petitions from the staff on the Dublin and Queens-town T. P. O., relative to appointments on the marine post office between England and the United States; and whether, in view of monetary loss imposed on these officers by the new arrangements for dealing with American mails, and their experience and service, he will say whether it is his intention to appoint them positions on the sea post office.

THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Lord STANLEY, Lancashire, Westhoughton)

I have had before me the petitions to which the hon. Member refers. They appear to be based on a misapprehension of the facts. No officer employed on a travelling post office has a claim to be permanently retained on such work, and may be removed at any time when the requirements of the Department render such removal desirable. The allowance which is paid to officers engaged in travelling post office work is paid for subsistence and in view of the inconvenience to which the duty is liable, and would, of course, cease when the duty was no longer to be performed. As I explained in Answer to Questions asked, by the hon. Member among others, on the 9th† and † See (4) Debates, cxlv., 1339. 15th May‡, the selection of officers for the sea post office on board the mail packets carrying the mails between this country and the United States will be governed by convenience in working the duty and the competence of the officers available; and, in the existing circumstances, it is most convenient to work it with staff drawn from the Liverpool Office.

MR. NANNETTI

May I ask if it be not the fact that on every occasion on which letters by the marine post office have arrived in Ireland, the correspondence has been delayed and the officials there kept on duty extra time so that they have lost the nine hours at home to which they are entitled?

LORD STANLEY

I should think not.

MR. NANNETTI

Will you inquire?

LORD STANLEY;

No.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

Poor bloodsuckers.