HC Deb 16 September 1886 vol 309 cc594-5
MR. WOOTTON ISAACSON (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)

asked the Postmaster General, Whether he is aware that great disappointment exists in the minor departments of the Post Office at the present system of dividing the Post Office into major and minor departments, by which all promotion is stopped from the latter or working staff to the former or executive staff; and, whether, in the interests of the Public Service, he will recommend an alteration of this system, and introduce some more satisfactory method of promotion in the minor departments?

THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)

The hon. Member has placed on the Paper to-day and to-morrow Notice of no less than six Questions, affecting not only the principles on which the Post Office is administered, but even in some cases the operation of the Orders in Council which regulate the Civil Service of the Crown. It would be impossible, within the limits of answers to Questions, to make the House thoroughly conversant with these matters of principle, or to do justice to the issues which are raised. I think, therefore, the better course would be if the hon. Member would call at the Post Office, when I shall be glad to depute an officer of the Department to explain to him the principles to which I have referred and give him the information which he requires. There is one observation, however, which I should like to make—namely, that it is not the custom of the Department to place money about to test the honesty of the officials.

MR. WOOTTON ISAACSON

Will the right hon. Gentleman permit me to ask him, whether he is disposed to remove the barrier which now exists between the minor and major Departments of the Post Office?

MR. RAIKES

The Question of the hon. Member is a very delicate besides being a large one, and I have not fully considered it. It would be entirely out of my power to move in such a matter, without the sanction of the Government, and probably getting the assent of Parliament. The Question should rather be addressed to the Leader of the House.