§ MR. GROVES (Salford, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that the sub-postmastership of Didsbury, in the Manchester district, recently vacant, was filled without giving the staff an opportunity of competing for the position; and whether he is in a position to give any assurance that in future all such vacancies shall be open for competition, and that petitions in favour of persons not in the employment of the Post Office shall not be considered to the detriment of established members of the staff.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Postmaster General is not in a position to give an assurance such as that described in the second part of the question. Owing to the circumstances under which sub- 840 offices are held, it is not often possible to appoint persons who are already in the service.