§ MR. T. M. HEALYasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, How many officers from English Post Offices were, during the past ten years, appointed to the position of permanent or temporary 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 Ireland and England; and, if so, how many Irish officers have been transferred to England as permanent or temporary surveyor's clerks during the same period, and how many Irish officers are at present in such positions in England?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. H. H. FOWLER)The 1369 answer to the hon. Member must be very much the same as that given him by the late Postmaster General last summer, when he asked a similar Question. The question of nationality in no way affected the selection of officers for employment on surveying duty in either England, Scotland, or Ireland, those officers being chosen who are considered best qualified, without any regard to the land of their birth. During the last 10 years eight officers had been sent from England to Ireland for employment on surveying duty, and one from Ireland to England. Of these, three are still employed in Ireland.