§ MR. DELANYI beg to ask the Postmaster-General what are the considerations which govern the selection of sorting clerks and telegraphists for relief duties at head and sub-post offices, and by what process is the suitability of the man tested; will he say whether a sorting clerk and telegraphist on the postal staff at Limerick was, contrary to precedent, selected for special telegraph duty in connection with the recent naval manœuvres; and is he aware that the Limerick telegraph staff petitioned the Postmaster of Limerick on the subject; and will he say why this officer, who returned to his headquarters on July 22nd, after having been five weeks absent on the duty above referred to, was again selected from the whole of the Limerick staff" for relief duty on July 23rd.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONOfficers chosen for relief duties outside their own offices are required to be fully qualified in all respects to perform the relief duties in question. In making the selection, moreover, it is necessary to consider what officers can be spared from their ordinary duties with the minimum 474 amount of inconvenience. I am not at present aware of the circumstances which governed the choice of the officer who was sent from Limerick in connection with the recent naval manœuvres, but I am having inquiry made on the subject.