asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he has under consideration a superannuation scheme for anxiliary postmen similar to the scheme at present being drawn up for labourers employed by the Office of Public Works.

As I indicated in my reply to a somewhat similar question in February, 1967, the question of the introduction of a pension scheme for part-time employees, such as auxiliary postmen, is a matter for consideration by the Minister for Finance.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that at present a superannuation scheme is being planned by the Office of Public Works for the labourers working there?

These labourers are full-time employees and auxiliaries are part-time employees. The comparison the Deputy makes does not hold good.

Would the Minister say who should take the initiative? How does it get to the Minister for Finance?

The question is quite a wide one. It covers all unestablished civil servants. It is specifically an overall matter for the Minister.

With respect, I do not agree with the Parliamentary Secretary. He must know that auxiliary postmen are regarded as part-time employees as against the unestablished civil servants he mentioned. To get back to the original question: is this a proposal which ought to go from the Department of Posts and Telegraphs? Who takes the initiative?

The unions specifically.

Did the Parliamentary Secretary say "the unions" or "the unions, I suppose"?

I did not say "I suppose".