§ MR. SEXTONI beg to ask the Postmaster General, with reference to his assurance that length of service would 318 be considered in promotions in the Telegraph Department of the Belfast Post Office, what were the actual periods of service of the officials recently promoted: how many clerks were senior to the promoted clerks in point of service; can he state whether they had satisfactorily discharged their duties, what are their respective periods of service, and why they were passed over; and whether their length of service will constitute an effective claim in case of future promotions in the Department?
§ *MR. RAIKESThe service of the telegraphists recently promoted at Belfast ranges from eight to 20 years. For promotion from the first class of telegraphists to the class of clerks the number passed over was three; and for promotion from the second to the first class of telegraphists the number passed over was seven. Speaking generally, they had discharged their duties satisfactorily; but these duties wore not the duties which they would have had to discharge if promoted, and I was assured that for any higher duties they are not qualified. It was on this account that I felt constrained to pass them over. Their service ranges from 11 to 33 years. Length of service, great as is the weight I attach to it, is not alone a sufficient reason for promotion where the necessary qualifications are wanting. All, therefore, that I can say is that if the officers who have now been passed over should qualify themselves for the higher duties, it will give me great pleasure to promote them as opportunity offers.