§ Mr. WILLIAM ABRAHAMasked the Postmaster-General (1) in how many branches of the Irish Post Office there is a minor establishment without local classification; if he is aware that the local classification of the Dublin stores staff was abandoned without their knowledge and consent; and if he will favourably consider a request that the local classification should be restored on the understanding that the stores staff will make no claim to participate in appointments to the establishment in Great Britain; (2) why it is proposed to fill some of the vacant storesmen's appointments in Dublin by the promotion or transfer of officers from Great Britain, in view of the fact that hitherto storesmen's appointments in Dublin have 1270W always been reserved to the local staff; and is he aware that his predecessor promised that the interest of the Irish staff should not suffer as a result of the transfer of control from the Secretary, Dublin, to the Controller of Stores, London?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThere are two other branches of the Post Office in Ireland which perform duties sufficiently similar to those performed in England and Scotland to admit of securing the advantages of economy of administration and equality of promotion which result from combination into a single establishment. These two establishments comprise the clerical appointments in the engineers' offices and in the surveyors' offices. I think these advantages material, and I do not see my way to revert to the former system. Neither the Dublin staff nor any other part of the stores staff were asked to consent to the present organisation. I do not think the interests of the Irish staff impaired by the existing arrangements. The hon. Member may like to know that I am about to promote one of the Dublin staff, if he can obtain the necessary Civil Service certificate.