§ Mr. NANNETTIasked the Postmaster-General whether, during the past three 992W weeks, 38 temporary civilian postmen have been dismissed in Dublin, and their places filled by 20 ex-telegraph messengers and 20 ex-soldiers; if 16 Army reservists are being requisitioned to take the place of the civilian postmen who are going on leave; if so, will he say if it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to throw the civilian employés on an already overcrowded labour market; and whether some regard will be had for the old employés who have up to the present been employed at the work of temporary postmen?
§ Mr. BUXTONThe facts are as follows:—The policy of the Department is to employ as many established postmen as possible. An increase in the permanent force of established postmen at Dublin has recently been sanctioned in order to provide for sick leave and annual leave; and the new posts thus created are being filled in the ordinary manner by the appointment of qualified assistant postmen. The services of 20 men who have no claim to appointment, but who have acted when required as substitutes for absent postmen, are, therefore, no longer needed for that purpose; and as no other work is available for them their employment has necessarily ceased.