MR. O'BRIENasked the Postmaster General, Whether his attention has been called to the fact that, of the officers and clerks employed at the General Post Office in Dublin seventy-seven are Protestants, and only eighteen Catholics; and, what proportion of these officers obtained their positions by free and open competition, and how many by official nomination or patronage?
MR. EAWCETTMr. Speaker, it is not the practice, nor do I think it would be at all desirable, to make any inquiry into the religious opinions of the officers of the Post Office. With regard to the second part of the hon. Member's Question, I find that out of 95 officers employed in the General Post Office, Dublin, 74 were admitted by nomination before the system of open competition was introduced. That system was introduced for men in February, 1878, and for women in October, 1881, and since those dates 21 officers have been thus admitted.
MR. O'BRIENDo I understand the right hon. Gentleman to mean that they were admitted to the lowest grade of the service by competition, and that they have been promoted to the higher grade by patronage without having been subjected to proper competition?
§ MR. FAWCETTUndoubtedly, there has been a certain number of promotions; but I can assure the hon. Member and the House that since I undertook the duties connected with the Post Office I have always been most scrupulous to know nothing whatever about the religious or political opinions of the officers engaged in the Department.
MR. O'BRIENI do not attribute favouritism in that respect to the right bon. Gentleman; but I do attribute it to the Masonic ring that dominates the Dublin Post Office and I beg to give Notice that I will ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the last four promo- 1600 tions appointed in the Dublin Post Office to clerkships—Mr. Corry, Mr. Bernard, Mr. Sheridan, and Mr.——, who never passed an examination—whether these gentlemen are Protestants?
§ MR. SPEAKERIt is quite obvious that is a new Question, of which Notice should be given.
MR. O'BRIENI think I am entitled to mention the terms of the Question I want to ask, whether those gentlemen have been put into office over the heads of men of long and faithful service who petitioned the Postmaster General for an examination? I wish to ask if the right hon. Gentleman has any objection?
§ MR. SPEAKERThis proceeding is out of Order. The House is now engaged in Questions, and the hon. Member is now giving Notice.