§ MR. M'CARTAN () Down, E.I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that from 1887 to 1891 clerks in the Central Telegraph Office were promoted from the Second to the First Class, after a service of about 10 years, from an annual salary of £85; whether it was then considered that any considerable delay beyond this period before promotion was a severe punishment, and that such delay was generally the result of some irregularity of conduct; whether he will state how many clerks of over 10 years' service are now at the Central Telegraph Office, and whose promotion to the First Class has been delayed, notwithstanding their good characters; whether he can say when these clerks will be placed upon an equality with their predecessors; and if he will make inquiry into the matter with the view of having their grievances redressed?
§ MR. A. MORLEYBetween the years 1887 and 1891, owing to the rapid growth of the work and consequent increase of the Establishment following on the reduction of the charge for telegrams, promotion was unusually rapid, and advancement from the Second to the First Class took place much as the hon. Member describes. Of course, then as now, no one was passed over without a reason, and I can well believe that the passing over was regarded as a punishment. Out, of a total number of 1,140 Second Class telegraphists now at the Central Telegraph Office, 101 have served 10 years or more; but I am not aware that the promotion of any of them has been delayed. Neither has any one of the number yet reached the maximum of this scale. It is impossible for me to predict when vacancies will occur to which those officers can be promoted. I have considered the whole question very carefully, and, as I have already 203 explained to the House, I cannot admit that there is any grievance to be redressed.