HC Deb 03 May 1901 vol 93 cc615-6
MR. FIELD

I beg to ask the Secretary to the. Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether memorials have been received from six Dublin sorting clerks (Normile, Cahalane, Robinson, O'Callaghan, Breen, and Byrne), who, because of the application of the Tweedmouth Recommendations on 1st April, 1897, were on appointment in June of the same year put in receipt of 18s. per week instead of 20s.; whether he is aware that those officers, as selected learners, received a written promise from the Secretary, through the Controller, that they would be sent forward for appointment in the end of February, 1897; that this promise was not fulfilled until the end of May, the Tweedmouth Recommendations having been put into effect in the meantime; and that the vacancies which they did fill on appointment were in existence prior to the 1st April, 1897, and were those of sorting clerks, Dublin, as known at that office, and the duties which they now perform are those of sorting clerks as then known; and whether the Postmaster General will direct that they be put in receipt of their salaries and privileges as promised.

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

Memorials from the six Dublin sorting clerks and telegraphists referred to in the question have been received. These officers, having been selected as learners, were nominated to the Civil Service Commissioners in November and December, 1896, but failed to pass in the examination. They then applied for a further trial, and on being asked when they would be ready for further examination, in the event of such being granted, stated, in reply, about the end of February, 1897. As an act of grace a second trial was allowed them, and they were re-nominated as early as practicable, namely, at the end of April, 1897—five of the officers receiving appointments on the 12th June and the remaining officer on the 29th July, 1897. There was no promise that they should be nominated again at the time stated, and even if they had been re-nominated then, and had successfully passed the examination, it is highly probable that their appointments could have been completed by the 1st of April, 1897. The Tweedmouth Recommendations, which were introduced on that date, precluded the higher initial pay being granted to any persons appointed after the 1st April, 1897. As these officers failed to pass the first examination, for which they had ample time to prepare themselves, the Postmaster General sees no reason to make any alteration in their initial rate of pay.