asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state (1) the number of temporary postmen whose hours of duty have been recently reduced; (2) the average weekly earnings of these men before the reduction and now; and (3) the number of married men affected by the reduction.

The Deputy probably has in mind part-time postmen whose hours of attendance will be reduced under the scheme for restriction of postal services which will come into force on the 1st proximo. The particulars he desires are not at present available, but I will inquire whether they can be furnished later on without undue trouble, and I will communicate with the Deputy again.

Am I to understand from the reply of the Parliamentary Secretary that there has been no reduction in the hours of service or in the weekly earnings of temporary postmen during the last few months?

Is it not the duty of the Parliamentary Secretary to furnish such particulars to the House if and when required? It is not a favour on his part to give such information.

The Deputy does not make his question very clear. He refers to reduced earnings. He does not refer to dispensing with the services of certain postmen. There may have been some small reduction in the hours of service in certain cases, but the general scheme for a reduction in the service does not come into force until the first of next month. In regard to Deputy Davin's point, there will be a question on the Order Paper to-morrow on this matter, and to this a general answer will be given.

Am I to understand that the Parliamentary Secretary is not in a position to give particulars of the number of temporary postmen whose hours of duty have been reduced and whose earnings have been reduced?

No, I am not in a position to do so now.