§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether several telegraphists who were connected with the Belfast Office have lately left the service, owing to the inactive state of promotion in that office; whether the Postmaster was petitioned some 12 months ago with regard to an increase in the number of first-class appointments; whether the memorialists have yet received a reply; whether Belfast has fewer higher appointments in proportion to the numerical strength of its staff than any other office; and, whether steps will be taken with a view to redress this grievance?
§ SIR H. MAXWELLI am authorised by the Postmaster General to say that during the past 15 months no resignations have occurred in the first class of telegraphists at Belfast. Five resignations occurred in the second class. The Postmaster General received some time ago a memorial from the telegraphists asking him to create a number of first-class appointments in order to give them promotion. This memorial he carefully considered, and came to the conclusion that there were no duties to be performed that would justify additional superior appointments at that time, and he caused a reply in this sense to be sent to the memorialists. The question will shortly come again under his consideration, when he will see if there is any change in the circumstances.
§ MR. SEXTONUnless there is some improvement in the service I shall certainly call attention to the matter next Session. May I ask whether a vacancy in the Belfast Telegraph Office in the first class has been filled by the appointment of a gentleman who has for years held, and stills holds, the position of Telegraphic Instructor in the Midland Division of Ireland; whether this official has been absent from the Belfast office some eight years, and whether during this period he was connected with the surveyor s office in Dublin, and under the immediate control of the authorities there; and, if so, whether it is in accordance with usage to appoint to a first class post in the Belfast office an official 581 who continues to perform a specific duty in another section; and, whether, in view of the stagnation of promotion existing in Belfast, this appointment will be made redundant?
§ SIR H. MAXWELLI have to say, in reply to the hon. Member, that the facts, so far as they are stated in his question, are substantially correct. It should, however, be added that the Inspecting Telegraphist referred to is a member of the Belfast staff, and was the senior officer on his class qualified for promotion. The question of making an additional first class appointment, which would, in effect, give a promotion, is under the consideration of the Postmaster General.