§ MR. THEOBALD (Essex, Romford)I beg to ask the Postmaster General the number of clerks on the staff of the Central Telegraph Office who were appointed before Mr. Dunford; whether the officer who was pensioned from the Controller's Office was an Assistant Superintendent; why Mr. Dunford was not made an Assistant Superintendent; what were the duties performed by the pensioned officer that could not be equally and satisfactorily performed by clerks years senior to Mr. Dunford; and whether the Controller claims to totally disregard seniority and set aside the ordinary tests of fitness?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. A. MORLEY,) Nottingham, E.The number of telegraphists now in the office who were appointed before Mr. Dunford is 605. The answer to the second, third, and fourth questions is that the officer pensioned from the Controller's Office held the rank of Assistant Superintendent, and there is no intention of tilling up his vacancy at present. The fifth question implies that promotions in the Controller's Office are made by the Controller. This is not the case. I am alone responsible for all promotions.