§ MR. SLOANI beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he is aware that there were four applications to sit for a limited competition held at Clones in the autumn of 1903, at which one candidate tailed, and that the rejected candidate has since been given an appointment in place of the successful person; and, if so, will ho explain the reason for this departure from the usual practice of the Department.
LORD STANLEYThere was no competition at Clones in 1903. For the February competition of 1904 three candidates were nominated and the successful candidate obtained his Civil Service certificate on the 9th instant, and will be called up for duty as a learner at once. A candidate who was at first refused permission to compete has, upon receipt of further favourable evidence as to his character, been admitted as a learner at Clones, but this will not necessarily entitle him to an established appointment there, and in any case will not prejudice in any way the position of the learner who was successful in the competition.