§ MR. J. F. X. O'BRIEN (Cork)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General—(1) whether he is aware that a revision of the Cork telegraph staff was sanctioned on or about the 16th July, 1895, whereby the number of superior appointments was increased from six to ten, but that the promotions consequent upon that revision have not yet been made; (2) whether there are thoroughly competent officers at Cork actually performing the duties, and who were nominated in August last to fill the vacancies; (3) whether, since on the 9th January last a memorial drawing attention to the delay in giving effect to the revision was presented by the staff, the Postmaster General will now direct that the revision be put into force without further delay; and, (4) whether the salaries applicable to the various appointments will be given to the officers selected for promotion as from the date on which the revision was sanctioned?
§ MR. HANBURYIt is the case that in the course of last summer four superior appointments were added to the Cork establishment, and that these appointments have not yet been filled. It is also the case that a memorial to the effect stated by the hon. Member has been received. The delay arises from the serious doubt which the Department entertains whether any member of the class below was qualified for the office of Assistant Superintendent, or whether it might not be necessary to introduce into that office some officer from outside. Pending further inquiry into this matter, the Postmaster General hopes to make the other three promotions shortly. As regards the last paragraph in the Question, the usual rule is that the salary applicable to an appointment is given from the date of appointment, and there is no reason to suppose that in this case this course will be departed from.