HC Deb 03 July 1884 vol 289 cc1866-7
MR. HEALY

asked the Postmaster General, How many officers from English offices were, during the past ten years, appointed to the position of surveyor's clerk or acting surveyor's clerk in Ireland; how many officers from such offices are still in such capacities in Ireland; and, whether these promotions in the Post Office Service are reciprocal between England and Ireland; and, if so, how many Irish officers have been transferred to England as surveyor's clerks, or acting surveyor's clerks, during the same period, and how many Irish officers are at present in such positions in England?

MR. FAWCETT

If the hon. Member means to describe by the terms "English" and "Irish" the nationality of the officers referred to in his Question, I am unable to afford him any information, as it is not the practice of the Department, nor do I think that it should be, to make any appointments on the ground of nationality. The appointments to surveyors' clerkships are made by selection by the Postmaster General of the fittest person from among those who apply for the post in answer to notification of the vacancy addressed to the whole of the Service. If, however, the hon. Member regards as English and Irish the officers who received their first appointment to the Service in England and Ireland respectively, I may say that, in the past 10 years, six officers, originally appointed to English offices, have been transferred to Ireland, three of whom still remain there; and that one officer has been transferred from Ireland to England, where he continues to be employed.

MR. HEALY

Can the right hon. Gentleman account for the fact that, while six gentlemen were promoted in England, only one was promoted in Ireland? Are there no suitable persons in Ireland to fill the offices there?

MR. FAWCETT

I cannot account for it. Some of the appointments were made by my Predecessors. I have no doubt they, like myself, always endeavoured to select the best men.

MR. HEALY

On the Estimates, Mr. Speaker, I will call attention to the fact that all the best men are Englishmen.