§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)To ask the Postmaster-General, if he will explain under what circumstances was Mr. King of Belfast permitted, on promotion to the rank of clerk, to retain his place on the list of officers selected to perform clerk-in-charge work; and will his retention involve that a senior sorting clerk and telegraphist is deprived of the opportunity of qualifying for promotion.
(Answered by Lord Stanley) The former corps of clerks in charge was composed of sorting clerks and telegraphists, and latterly it was a condition of their appointment that they should cease to be clerks in charge if they were promoted to be clerks or received a supervising allowance. In December, 1899, however, the corps of clerks in charge was abolished, and it was decided that an officer of any rank might be employed to take charge of a vacant office if necessary. Mr. King, therefore, remains eligible for such employment if his services are required; 1196 and his retention on the list of officers available for taking charge does not in any way interfere with similar employment of a junior officer if the circumstances are suitable.