asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether any progress has yet been made towards the introduction of a pension scheme for auxiliary postmen; and if he will take immediate steps to introduce such a scheme.

The existing Superannuation Acts do not permit of the introduction of a pension scheme for part-time employees like auxiliary postmen and the question of extending the scope of these Acts is one which the Minister for Finance would have to consider in relation to the State service as a whole.

Would the Minister not consider recommending to the Minister for Finance that he should at this stage consider having a scheme for pensions for auxiliary postmen introduced?

Other temporary classes would have to be considered.

Temporary? I know some of them who have been there for 40 years.

They are quasi-permanent part-time workers generally: they are not wholetime. In 1960 a scheme of gratuities was introduced which was a considerable improvement on what previously existed.

Quite a big number of uniformed auxiliary postmen do not qualify for pensions despite the fact that they have been employed all their lives as postmen. Surely the Minister cannot get away by saying they are not full-time. Would the Minister agree to have another look at the matter and try to improve the position?

They are regarded as part-time employees. The number of hours they work per week does not justify regarding them as full-time.

They are certainly not temporary.

Some of them may be temporary.

Some of them are and some of them are not.

For what benefits do they qualify?

Question No. 58.

The gratuity is at the rate of three-quarters of a week's pay for each year of service. There is no limit to the amount. Prior to May, 1960, the maximum any part-time postman——

I have called Question No. 58.