§ MR. JACOBY (Derbyshire, Mid)To ask the Postmaster-General whether after passing first in the limited competition for sorting clerk and telegraphist where there is one vacancy how long has a postman to wait before taking up such vacancy; and whether such postman could be sent to any other town to take up the duties of sorting clerk and telegraphist if it is afterwards found that there is no vacancy at the office competed for.
(Answered by Lord Stanley.) In order to provide suitable persons to fill vacancies without delay, it is necessary to hold competitions in advance of the vacancies; and in some cases vacancies which were anticipated may not occur at once. If the hon. Member will furnish me with the particulars of the case to which he refers I will consider whether a transfer is practicable.