§ MR. NUTTALL (Lancashire, Stretford)To ask the Postmaster-General, if he will state what percentage of the promotions to head postmasterships have been granted to established sub-postmasters, and the percentage to sorting clerks and telegraphists, during the past ten years.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) Considerable labour would be involved in obtaining the information asked for by the hon. Member. Appointments to head postmasterships are filled by the selection of the most suitable candidates, irrespective of the classes to which they belong, and I do not think it would be expedient to reserve fixed proportions of such appointments for particular classes of officers.