§ 14. Mr. McENTEEasked the Postmaster-General whether, in regard to the exceptional promotion of an assistant supervisor in the Central Telegraph Office, he is aware that the controller of the Central Telegraph Office announced that the promotion had been made without following the normal procedure; and whether, in view of the statement of the Postmaster-General that the claims and qualifications of all the supervising officers concerned were given consideration by the 775 Central Telegraph Office Promotion Board, he will cause an independent inquiry to be made into the claims of all the officers concerned?
§ Sir A. LAMBERT WARDI have been asked to reply. The announcement of the controller was to the effect that the promotion had been made under paragraph 28 of the report of the committee of the National Whitley Council on Promotion which provides that, in exceptional circumstances, in which the public interest makes it necessary, it is within the competence of the head of the department to make any promotion without following the normal procedure. Although the promotion was exceptional in the sense that a comparatively junior officer was selected, the usual procedure was followed by the Central Telegraph Office Promotion Board in reviewing the claims of all the senior officers, and my right hon. Friend sees no ground for ordering an independent inquiry.
§ Mr. McENTEEIs the Postmaster-General aware that certain experiences and qualifications have always been held to be necessary for this post, and that the person appointed did not have any of these; and is he aware of the feeling that there was gross favouritism in regard to this appointment? May I have a reply?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Gentleman will probably refer the hon. Member's question to the department.