§ MR. WALLACE (Edinburgh, E.)asked the Postmaster General, Whether the son of an important official in the Post Office at Edinburgh, has, since July, 1882, acted there as stationary clerk to the Surveyor of the Midland District of Scotland, and occasionally as surveyor's clerk for the same district; whether, at the time when the vacancy occurred in the stationary clerkship in 1882, he held any, and, if so, what appointment; whether an opportunity was given to other officers to apply for the vacant post; whether he has also, since July, 1882, until a few weeks ago, been on the staff of the Falkirk Office as a sorting clerk; whether he has ever done any duty at Falkirk; and, if so, for how long; whether he drew salary for both offices, and has done so since July, 1882; whether he was recently transferred from Falkirk to a more lucrative post in the Dundee Office; whether he is to hold and be paid for both the Edinburgh and Dundee appointments; and, if so, in which he is to do full duty; and, whether such arrangements are in conformity with the Rules of the Service?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)The officer referred to by the hon. Member 1302 has acted as stationary clerk to the Surveyor of the Midland District of Scotland since July, 1882; and he has also been once employed for a short time in travelling duties as surveyor's clerk in the district. It is the Rule that surveyors' stationary clerks must be selected from the staff of Provincial Post Offices; and at the time this officer was selected he held the appointment of sorting clerk and telegraphist at Falkirk. He is now borne upon the establishment of the Post Office at Dundee. No opportunity was given to other officers to apply for the vacancy, as it was not then customary to adopt that course; but the Rules governing the selection of officers of this class were altered in 1884. Vacancies are now notified to every post office in the district, and the Postmaster General selects from the candidates who offer themselves. I should explain that all officers acting as surveyors' stationary clerks receive a small annual allowance in addition to the pay proper to the establishment to which they belong, because the duties they perform are of a more important nature than those ordinarily assigned to clerks in Provincial Post Offices. What has been done did not, I am advised, infringe any Regulation of the Department.