§ Mr. JOYCEasked the Postmaster-General how many qualified learners Are now awaiting appointments at the Post Office, Limerick, and what is the length of their unestablished service; can he state the number of officers who have reached the maximum of their class and their average service; how many officials have arrived at the pensionable limit; what are their respective ages, length of service, and number of extensions already granted, and is it proposed to further extend their service; and, if so, on what special grounds; have their predecessors been similarly treated; and does the rate of promotion at Limerick accord with other centres in the southern Irish district?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELOne qualified learner has recently been appointed at the Limerick Post Office and four others remain, each of whom has had three years' unestablished service. As I informed the hon. Member in reply to his question of 4th April last these learners have been already offered and have refused appointment at other offices, but I hope soon to be able to appoint them at Limerick. Two officers at the Limerick Post Office have reached pensionable age but they are not being exceptionally treated in any way. Special inquiries would be needed in order to furnish the other information asked for in the question, but as the case of these learners will shortly be settled perhaps the hon. Member will agree that those inquiries may be dispensed with.