§ MR. JOYCE (Limerick)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Mr. John Hartnett, of Newport, Limerick, applied to be made a fully established postman, on the ground
† (4) See Debates, clxxiv., 1324–5313 that he had six yours' service as an auxiliary, and has been informed that his request cannot be complied with as there are a good many on the list with still longer auxiliary service; and whether he will take steps to ensure that auxiliary postmen in Ireland shall not have to wait such lengthy periods before being appointed to the staff.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONAs Hartnett has not served in any of the capacities which give a claim to preferential appointment he has therefore no claim to an established appointment. It is sometimes possible to appoint a man in his position when no candidate with a claim is available, but all auxiliary postmen are made aware by means of a form which they sign when first employed that their appointment is temporary and gives them no claim to promotion. I regret that I am unable to make any exception to the general rule in favour of auxiliary postmen in Ireland.