§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)To ask the Postmaster-General on what principle of merit or seniority is promotion regulated in the postal service in Ireland; whether he can say why a Mr. Gibson was promoted to the surveyors' office in Dublin over the heads of other members of the Portadown staff of longer service and higher qualifications, and why were not applications for the position invited from other members of the staff; and whether he can also say why a substitute, named Magennis, was transferred from Portadown to Letterkenny, whilst a substitute of inferior qualification who was drawing sustenance money has been retained.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The case of Mr. Gibson, to which the hon. Member refers, is not one of promotion Taut of temporary employment in the Surveying Department. For such employment it is not the practice to invite applications, as it is necessary to select officers who are known to possess special qualifications for that class of work. Mr. Gibson was considered to possess the best qualifications for this work. The substitute, named Magennis, has been selected for temporary duty in the Letterkenny post office because, in the event of the post which he is filling temporarily becoming vacant, he has the first claim to consideration for the appointment.