§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)asked the Postmaster General, On what principle vacant Postmasterships in the Provinces are filled up; whether, in the case of several recent appointments to important offices in Provincial towns, officers of the Registered Letter and Money Order Departments have been appointed; and, whether, as the filling of such vacancies by a process other than that of selection from the general body of Postmasters retards promotion in this class of public servants, he will explain the grounds of these appointments?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)The Question of the hon. Member would seem to imply that promotion to the more important post offices is by right confined to those who are Postmasters already. But such is not the case. When one of these post offices becomes vacant candidates are invited from all parts of the Post Office Service; and out of these candidates the Postmaster General selects the one whom he considers the best fitted for the duties to be discharged. Out of more than 200 such appointments which have been filled during the last 10 years, I find that one has been given to an officer of the Money Order Department; while the Registered Letter Department has received none at all.