HC Deb 18 July 1904 vol 138 cc269-70
MR. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that the weekly official Post Office Circular states that candidates for postmasterships are reminded that they are strictly prohibited from applying except through their immediate superior officers, and that applications through any other channel are calculated to defeat rather than promote the object in view; and that the postmaster of Stony Stratford secured his promotion by the help of Lord Kitchener, who is unconnected with the Civil Service, he will direct that when vacancies for postmasterships are next advertised the regulation shall be withdrawn in order to provide equality of opportunity for all postal servants.

THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Lord STANLEY,) Lancashire, Westhoughton

The name of the officer who is now postmaster at Stony Stratford was brought officially before the Postmaster-General in 1902 by direction of Lord Kitchener, it respect of services rendered in South Africa under Lord Kitchener's orders, and without reference to any application for a postmastership. The rule to which the hon. Member refers was in no way infringed, and I have no intention of altering it; on the contrary, I mean to enforce it rigorously.

MR. NANNETTI

But does the noble Lord consider—in the case of men who cannot get such influential friends to recommend them—that—

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!