§ MR. CALLANasked the Postmaster General, Whether it is a fact that for some considerable period, but more especially within the last three years, a number of Protestant juniors have been promoted over the heads of senior Catholic employés in the General Post Office, Dublin; and, whether, in view of the grave dissatisfaction caused thereby and the recent scandals in connection with the chief official of that Department in Dublin, an inquiry will be instituted into all the circumstances connected with the said promotions?
§ MR. FAWCETT, in reply, said, that he had often stated it had been the rule of the Post Office Department never to make any inquiry whatever about the religious opinions of any of its officials. He thought it would be most undesirable to depart from it. He had himself no information whatever as to the religious opinions of any of the Post Office officials; and, therefore, he could not give this information. If there was any case which the hon. Member thought was an unfair promotion, he should be very glad to inquire into it. All the promotions had been made on his responsibility.
§ MR. CALLANsaid, he understood there was a Departmental rule that representations should not be made by officials to Members of Parliament; and if he mentioned the names of officials to the right hon. Gentleman, perhaps it would be injurious to them.
§ MR. FAWCETTsaid, the rule was, that when an appointment was vacant, 438 the candidates should not make applications to Members of Parliament to use influence on their behalf. This was done quite as much in the interests of Members as of anyone else. If there was any case of improper promotion, and the hon. Member should mention any name, the case would be investigated most carefully; and he could assure the hon. Member that it should not, in the slightest degree, make any difference whatever to any person. After this assurance, perhaps the hon. Member would not move for the Return.
§ MR. CALLANstated that, after this assurance, he would not move for the Return, and he would place the matter in the hands of the Postmaster General.