§ MR. JOYCE (Limerick)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he can state the circumstances 947 under which three assistant superintendents have lately been introduced into the Limerick postal branch from outside offices and promoted over the heads of local officers: what special qualifications do the imported officials possess, and have they been performing the duties to which they were appointed; and, in the inquiry which has been promised, will the evidence of the male and female staff be taken.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThere being no officer on the class of clerks at Limerick competent in all respects to perform the duties of assistant superintendent, it was necessary in the interests of the service to introduce officers from elsewhere to fill the three vacancies for assistant superintendents to which the hon. Member refers. The officers so introduced possess, in the opinion of the Postmaster General, full qualifications for their respective posts, and they are performing the duties proper to the grade to which they have been promoted. The personal inquiry promised into the duties of the indoor staff at Limerick is now being made, and the necessary evidence of the male and female staff will be taken.