§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General how much of the £750,000 of the increased Postal Estimates will go to the Irish service; will the wages in Dundalk Post Office under the new postal scheme be reduced 1s. a week for new entrants and its postmen placed in Class 5, the same as neighbouring villages where rent and living are much cheaper; do postmen in Newry 109 rank in Class 4; are the existing postmen in Dundalk seventeen years without an increase of pay; and upon what ground are they not to share in the benefits granted to men in similar positions.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONI presume that my hon. friend, in giving the figure £750,000, is referring to the cost of 1908–9 of the Stanley revision as well as the increases due to the acceptance of the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee. The figure s substantially correct, but the total increase in the Post Office Estimates for 1908–9 is £947,000. The increase cannot readily be allocated between the three countries. But the Irish share would be rather more than the normal proportion of Post Office expenditure, inasmuch as so many of the smaller Irish towns are being raised as regards the postmen's pay. The classification of both Newry and Dundalk is in suspense. Their final classification will, as recommended by the Committee, depend partly on the volume of work and partly on the cost of living.
§ MR. MOOREHas not Lurgan been treated in the same way as Dundalk, and if Dundalk is raised will Lurgan be treated in the same way?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONI do not know much about Lurgan. Both places are in suspense. I will bear in mind what the hon. Member says.