Post Office Telegraph Factories.

HC Deb 17 May 1906 vol 157 c627

MR. FIELD

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he can state what was the total cost including overtime of the clerical staff and labour employed in the Post Office Telegraph Factories during 1903–4, 1904–5, 1905–6, 1906–7 (estimated); and whether he will favourably consider proposals for establishing a Government factory in Dublin for the repair and manufacture of Post Office stores so as to ensure greater economy and efficiency, and provide a fair share of employment in Ireland.

(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The figures are as follows:—

Financial year 1903–4	£92,175
Financial year 1904–5	£90,436
Financial year 1905–6	£98,531
Financial year 1906–7	£89,108
	(Estimated).

There are already local workships in Dublin and other towns in Ireland for the repair of apparatus, and I do not think I that the establishment of a Government I factory in Dublin would conduce to greater economy and efficiency.