§ MR. NANNETTII beg to ask the Postmaster-General under what circumstances a number of head offices in Ireland are being reduced to the rank of salaried sub-offices; will he say if the reduction is warranted by a falling off in business, and is he aware that the reduction will give rise to auxiliary labour; can he say if it is contemplated to reduce many more Irish offices; and whether in any cases the local people have objected to the change.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONThe reduction of small head offices to the rank of salaried sub-offices is not confined to Ireland. It is found to be desirable in some cases as a purely administrative measure carried out solely with the view of obtaining more efficient administration without curtailing postal facilities. The change does not lead to an increase of auxiliary labour. I am unable to say at present whether any further reductions than those already agreed upon will be necessary. Any opposition which has been offered to the reduction of an office has been based, generally speaking, on a mistaken idea that postal facilities will be in consequence reduced or that the interests of the town will be prejudicially affected. In no case has the alteration resulted in any curtailment whatever of existing facilities and prejudicially affected the inhabitants.