§ MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)asked the Postmaster General, with reference to the system of promotion in the Central Telegraph Office, Whether he can state how many Provincial clerks have been promoted to London since 1st January, 1882; how many of these clerks junior, in date of appointment, have been placed over the heads of London clerks senior, in date of appointment; how many of these appointments have been made since 1st March last; whether he is aware of the continuance of this system of promotion, considering the statement made by him on the subject in March last; and, whether it is his intention to continue this system of promotion?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)In reply to the hon. Member, I have to state that since the 1st of January, 1882, 84 telegraphists have been transferred from the country to London; that out of this number eight have been promoted in advance of London telegraphists of equal or longer service; and that all these promotions have taken place since the 1st of March of last year. The 84 telegraphists, most of whom have been brought to London at a time of extreme pressure, and who were all transferred in the direct interest of the Service, were incorporated into the London Establishment according to their qualifications and pay; and in the case of the eight to whose promotion the hon. Member refers, it happened, owing to the fact of their having joined the Department as skilled telegraphists, that both their qualifications and pay were higher than those of their Metropolitan colleagues of equal service who had joined as learners direct from the School of Telegraphy.