§ * MR. O'DOHERTYI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that the present sub-postmaster at Glencolumbkille was at the date of his application and of his appointment as sub-postmaster a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary, was not either a resident or householder in the town of Glencolumbkille, and that he has not exclusive possession of the premises in which he purposes conducting the business 86 of the office; will he state what are the total emoluments per annum attached to this position; whether the head postmaster of the district recommended another applicant to the Postmaster General for the appointment; and upon what grounds did the Postmaster General refuse to act on the recommendation of the head postmaster of the district.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe present sub-postmaster of Glencolumbkille was at the time of his application for the appointment a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary. At the time of his appointment he had already retired from the Constabulary and had made arrangements to become the tenant of the premises in which the post office work is carried on and to provide sufficient accommodation. The total emoluments of the office are about £20 15s. a year. The head postmaster of the district is not called upon to make recommendations to the Postmaster General.
§ * MK. O'DOHERTYIs it not the practice in the Post Office for the head postmaster to make the recommendation, and for the person so recommended to^ be appointed by the Postmaster General?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI have said it is not.
§ * MR. O'DOHERTYAre we to understand that this man was appointed not for his efficiency, but for his political views?
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!
§ MR. FLAVINWhat special qualification have the members of the Royal Irish Constabulary for these sub-post-masterships?
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!