§ Mr. VINCENT KENNEDYasked the Postmaster-General whether, in appointing established postmen for Irish rural district walks, any other than regular boy messengers or men who have served in the Army or Navy have ever been appointed; will he give the number of these semi-irregular appointment s each year for the last 10 years; and will he state generally how long such vacancies are left unfilled?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEVacancies for established postmen in Ireland, as elsewhere, are reserved for boy messengers, ex-soldiers and ex-sailors. Occasionally auxiliary postmen are appointed when their duties are absorbed into established posts, or in the absence of a candidate who has served as a boy messenger, soldier, or sailor. During the year 1913 sixty auxiliary postmen who had not1648W served as messengers, soldiers, or sailors, were appointed as established postmen in Ireland. The figures for each of the last ten years are not available and could not be compiled without considerable trouble. The length of time taken to fill vacancies varies according to the local circumstances, the average period being from two to three months.