MR. KEIR-HARDIEI beg to ask the Postmaster General whether, in appointing Mr. E. A. Hicks Assistant Inspector at Liverpool Post Office, the terms of the instruction on page 105 of the Postmasters' Book of Instructions were complied with; and what were the special qualifications which secured Mr. Hicks the appointment over several applicants with longer service, and who have had experience of an Inspector's duties?
§ MR. A. MORLEYThe answer to the first paragraph is, Yes. Out of a body of more than 500 postmen, all of whom had been invited to apply, only 15 offered themselves as candidates for the appointment, and of these 15 Hicks, who had long acted as head postman, was by far the best qualified.