HC Deb 15 May 1905 vol 146 cc277-8
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he will state whether men from the Liverpool Post Office have been appointed to the marine post office which is to be established on the American liners; and does he intend to appoint any officials from the Dublin Office who have for years dealt efficiently with American mails, and who are willing to transfer to Liverpool in the event of their being selected for the duty.

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

In reply to this Question and that asked by the hon. Member for the College Division of Dublin, I cannot do better than refer to the Answer given to a Question on the same subject asked on the 9th instant.† As I then intimated, convenience in working the system and competency to perform the duties will govern the selection of officers; and I cannot pledge myself to the employment of men willing to be transferred to Liverpool, irrespectively of the convenience of the service.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

asked whether the principle of natural selection that prevailed on the Treasury Bench would be adopted.

LORD STANLEY

Yes, Sir. The best man for the job.

The following is the Question of the hon. Member for College Green referred to in the above Answer—

MR. NANNETTI

To ask the Postmaster-General whether, since it was stated that the question of competency was the one that would have effect when officers would be selected for the marine post office, he will say if it is his intention to appoint the officers on the Dublin and Queenstown T. P. O., in view of the fact that these men have been dealing with American mails for twenty years, and that by their training they are as well fitted for the position of sorting clerks on the marine post office as any other officials.