Mr. NUGENTasked the Postmaster-General whether a number of cases of pilfering from the staff cloakrooms in the Dublin Sorting and Telegraph Offices have recently taken place; if so, what steps, if any, have been taken to put a stop to these occurrences; whether he will at once provide proper locker accommodation in order that the apparel of the members of the staff may be adequately protected while they are attending to 2142W their official duties; and whether he will favourably consider claims for compensation from those who have lost or may lose their property owing to the failure of the Department to afford adequate protection?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHCases of the loss of private property have been reported at the two offices named, but they have not of late been numerous. Every case is made the subject of inquiry. Owing to the War, the supply of additional long lockers, even if space allowed, is necessarily suspended; but arrangements were made some time ago to supply small lockers to those of the staff for whom long lockers were not available. In two of the most recent cases, long lockers had been provided, but the missing articles had not been placed in them. No reason, so far, has been found for thinking that the losses are due to the acts of outsiders; and, while cases will be considered on their merits, I regret I cannot give any general undertaking to allow compensation in such cases.
Mr. NUGENTasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that four supervising officers in the sorting office, Dublin, over sixty years of age, have been retained in the service; whether he is aware that all supervising officers whose health, conduct, and efficiency continued good were superannuated, after attainment of sixty years of age, in the telegraph office at Dublin; and whether he will state specifically the reasons for this differentiation in treatment?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHI am aware that four supervising officers in the sorting office, Dublin, are being retained after the age of sixty. This is in accordance with the general policy at the present time, which is being applied to those members of the postal and telegraph staffs alike whose health, conduct, and efficiency remain good. The hon. Member is misinformed as regards the telegraph office at Dublin.