§ Captain W. BENNasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the efficiency bar for women clerks has been applied much more stringently in the accountants' office, Edinburgh, than in the accountants' office, Dublin, eight of the 32 women at the bar in Edinburgh having been stopped, whereas all the women in Dublin have been passed; and what steps he proposes to take?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe same standard has been applied at both offices, and I am satisfied after inquiry that the decisions in question were properly arrived at. In connection with a recent review of these cases it has been possible to830W allow three of the women to pass the efficiency bar as from the 1st January last in view of the improvement they have shown. The remaining cases will be further reviewed periodically in accordance with the usual practice.