HC Deb 28 March 1905 vol 143 cc1387-8
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General under what circumstances he recently appointed three English officials to vacant Irish postmasterships; what applications did he receive from members of the Irish service for these posts; can he say what special qualifications the three selected officials had over their Irish colleagues; and whether he will give three corresponding positions in England to members of the Irish service.

LORD STANLEY

Appointments to postmasterships, whether in England, Ireland, Scotland, or Wales, are open to all Post Office officials throughout the United Kingdom. In making these appointments I take no account of the nationality of the candidates, and I select for each appointment the candidate who, in my opinion, is the best qualified to fill it.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Are these English importations good Unionists?

LORD STANLEY

I hope so.

MR. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)

Were there no Irish candidates competent to fill these positions? Are these posts to be reserved exclusively for Englishmen?

LORD STANLEY

There may have been Irish candidates, but they were not so well qualified as the English ones.