§ Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIENasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the discontent created among the postal telegraph staff in Cork, and among the commercial community in general, owing to the employment of soldiers of the Royal Engineers to do the work of civilians who are obliged to pass competitive examinations for their offices; and whether he will take care that, so far as the introduction of Royal Engineers may be necessary for purposes of military instruction, their employment will be paid for out of Army funds, and will have no injurious effect either upon the numbers or emoluments of the civilian members of the regular staff?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThere seems to be considerable misapprehension with regard to the Royal Engineer boy learners at present being trained in telegraphy in the post office at Cork. These boys are in excess of the normal staff requirements of the Cork office, and their admission will not affect the numbers or the emoluments of the civilian staff.