§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether the Postmaster General is aware that, in connection with the vacancies on the classes of assistant superintendents, clerks, and sorting clerks whilom first class, General Post Office, Dublin, aspirants for these positions are energetically exercising extraneous influence with the authorities to secure the same; and if he will state upon what claims he will base the promotions when they are made, and when they will be announced; also, considering the dissatisfaction that was created in April 1896, by promoting a number of officers over the heads of large numbers of senior and better qualified officials, he will examine into the recommendations of the officers in this case; and, further in the event of any officer being passed over, will he supply such officers with the reasons for their supersession?
§ MR. HANBURYThe Postmaster General is not aware that aspirants to promotion in the Dublin sorting office are energetically exercising extraneous influence to secure promotion. If this is the case and the facts are brought to his notice they will seriously affect the claims of those officers to promotion as they will be guilty of a distinct breach of the rules of the service. I do not understand the reference to sorting clerks whilom first class, as the sorting clerks are now all one class. The basis on which the promotions will be made will be the selection of those considered to be the best qualified for the duties to be performed. The Postmaster General makes a point of examining the recommendations which he receives of officers for promotion and he will follow the same practice in the present case; but he cannot undertake to supply any officer who may be passed over with the reasons for his supersession.