§ MR. WILLIAM RUTHERFORD (Liverpool, West Derby)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in the month of October, 1903, Mr. Rowland Jones was promoted to a clerkship in the Liverpool head office over thirty-two then senior to him in the same class, including Mr. T. Rogers and Mr. Lascelles; that on the 14th May, 1904, Mr. T. Rogers was similarly promoted over the thirteen then senior to him in 236 the same class; that, in the month of June, 1904, Mr. Lascelles was also promoted over the heads of twenty-seven senior to him; and, if so, will he explain why Rogers and Lascelles were passed over in October, 1903, and were subsequently promoted; and whether, seeing that many of the men passed over on each of these three occasions have for some time been actually performing the duties of the class from which they have been excluded, he will make inquiries into the system of promotion adopted in this office.
§ THE POSTMASTER - GENERAL (Lord STANLEY, Lancashire, Westhoughton)I am considering the papers in this case. I will endeavour to answer the Question before the close of the session, but, if not, I will send my hon. friend a written Answer.