§ MR. STOCK (Liverpool, Walton)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether vacancies in the various superintending engineers offices, together with such as occur at relay stations, are filled by competitive examination amongst members of the Postal Telegraph Service; and if not, whether he will consider the advisability of adopting such a course?
§ * THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. A. MORLEY,) Nottingham, E.The situations to which the hon. Member refers are filled by selection from amongst those telegraphists who possess the necessary special qualifications. There is no competitive examination, and, as at present advised, I do not think it would be for the benefit of the Service to introduce one.
§ MR. STOCKIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many men in the office devote a great deal of time in fitting themselves to fill vacancies in the engineering Department. Does he think selection is better than competitive examination in these cases?
§ MR. A. MORLEYIn my opinion, the present system works most beneficially for the Service.