§ MR. SAMUEL YOUNG (Cavan, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, with reference to the recent appointment of postmaster of Cootehill, county Cavan, would he state to the House what are the precise qualifications and experience of the new postmaster; whether he is aware that for nearly fifty years the office has been managed by 1471 women, and can he say whether any complaint of inefficiency was made during that time; whether one of the female applicants for the post holds the Civil Service certificate, has had eleven years experience, and has had entire temporary charge of local offices; and can he state on what grounds a trader, untrained and inexperienced in postal affairs, has been appointed in preference to certificated female officials of eleven years experience.
§ MR. HANBURYAS explained already, it was considered desirable that this sub- office should be placed in the hands of a man, and it was for this reason that a woman was not appointed. The person selected is reported to possess the necessary capacity for the post, but the essential qualification in this case is that he is a man.