§ MR. P. A. TAYLORasked the Postmaster General, Whether he has been able during the Recess (in accordance with the intimation he was kind enough to give last Session) to consider some plan for the appointment of post office officials which should be free from all suspicion of political bias?
§ LORD JOHN MANNERS,in reply, said, he had been in communication during the Recess with the Secretary to 1051 the Treasury on the subject, and the result was, that they had arrived at the conclusion that it would not he for the public advantage to deprive Members of Parliament of the right of recommending to the smaller appointments in the Post Office. With a view, however, to obviating the suspicion of political bias to which the hon. Gentleman referred, the following addition has been made to the notice of vacancy sent to Members:—
These nominations will be submitted to the approval of the Postmaster General, who has the right of cancelling any nomination if the character of the nominee is not satisfactory, or if his residence is inconveniently situated, and if such appointment will not be to the interest of the public service.