MR. O'BRIENasked the Postmaster General, Whether the last four gentlemen appointed to clerkships in the General Post Office, Dublin, Mr. Ker, Mr. Barnard, Mr. Odium, and Mr. Sheridan, are Protestants, and were appointed to these positions without passing an examination, and over the heads of men of long and faithful service; whether sorters are in the habit of doing the clerical work of the sorting office when the regular clerks are sick or on leave; and, whether he can hold out any hope that clerkships will be thrown open to competition among deserving and competent sorters?
§ MR. FAWCETTSir, as previously stated, no inquiry is made as to the religion of any persons appointed by the Post Office. I promoted the four gentlemen referred to by the hon. Member after considering the qualifications of various officers, including the sorters to whom reference is made, because I thought that the four persons selected were the best qualified. These gentlemen had already been in the service for periods varying from 12 to 14 years, and their promotion did not necessitate any examination. They entered at the bottom of their class, and, consequently, were not appointed over the heads of other men. Sorters, except on very rare occasions, are not employed in the room of clerks who are absent from sickness or away on leave.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORI wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether he has recently forwarded to the Treasury a representation recommending an increase of pay to the officers in the Secretary's Department of the General Post Office; and whether that recommendation will extend to the officials in Dublin?
§ MR. FAWCETTI do not think a Memorial has been forwarded, but I would be glad if the hon. Member gave Notice of the Question.