§ MR. LODER (Brighton)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether promotion from the general body of telegraphists depends upon efficiency, good conduct, and seniority; and whether three telegraphists, fully qualified, have recently been passed over in the Brighton tele- 1271 graph office; and whether the Postmaster General can state why the usual conditions have been departed from in this case.
§ MR. HANBURYThe Tweedmouth Committee reported on the subject of promotion—
We feel that promotion to the supervising classes should not be regarded as a matter of right or of seniority. It is the interest both of the public and of the Post Office service that the supervising classes should be composed of servants the most fitted to supervise, and men should be selected for these posts on the ground of their proved capacitity in all respects to fill them efficiently.In a recent case at Brighton the officer standing No. 4 on his class was certified to be the best qualified to perform the duties of the post to which he was promoted, and his promotion was strictly in accordance with the principles above laid down. I shall be glad to show the hon. Member the Papers.