HC Deb 06 April 1900 vol 81 cc1409-10
MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, will he explain why a telegraphist in the Belfast office named Manturin has been stopped at the efficiency barrier, and why, seeing that on his appeal to the secretary it was decided that he should have opportunities for attaining proficiency in several duties which had previously been denied him, the local authorities have since made a practice of placing him upon the hardest instrument duties in the Belfast office; and whether the Postmaster General will investigate the circumstances of this case.

MR. HANBURY

The reason why Mr. Manturin could not pass the efficiency bar was that he was unable to perform the highest duties of his class—a condition specially prescribed by the Tweed-mouth Committee. No further report has been received concerning him, and the question of his ability to pass the bar would not—under the regulations—be again considered until twelve months from the previous report—namely, in August next.