HC Deb 22 June 1905 vol 147 cc1361-2
CAPTAIN DONELAN

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been directed to a resolution unanimously adopted by the Queenstown Urban District Council, protesting against the exclusive appointment of officials from the Liverpool postal department to the position of marine mail sorters between New York and Liverpool, thus ignoring the claims of Irish officials who have had long experience in sorting the American mails between Dublin and Queenstown; and whether he will consider the desirability of recognising the claims of duly qualified Irish officials by allocating to them a proportion of these new positions.

LORD STANLEY

My attention has not been previously called to the resolution to which the hon. Member refers; and I have not seen a copy of it. With regard to the last part of the Question, I must refer the hon. Member to replies which I have given in this House to the effect that convenience in working the system and competency to perform the duties will govern the selection of officers for employment in the Transatlantic Sea Post Offices. I cannot admit that any particular officers have a claim to such employment.

CAPTAIN DONELAN

Why have no Irishmen been appointed to any of these positions?

LORD STANLEY

I have in each case appointed the man recommended to me as the most competent for the duty?

CAPTAIN DONELAN

Then are no Irish officials competent or duly qualified?

LORD STANLEY

I did not say they were not competent, but not as competent.

MR. NANNETTI

Have not these men done the work successfully for many years?

LORD STANLEY

This is the first time the scheme has been in operation.

MR. NANNETTI

At sea, but not on shore.

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