§ MR. JAMES O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that it is proposed to pass over several senior and qualified men at Salisbury for the post of assistant inspector of messengers in favour of a junior man; and whether the fact that this man was the only one who refused to sign a petition against a recent order which had to be withdrawn is the qualification that has gained him nomination for the post.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) No post of the nature referred to by the 1361 hon. Member has as yet been formally authorised, but, as a temporary arrangement, a town postman is employed to supervise the telegraph messengers. He was selected because he was considered to be the best qualified officer at Salisbury to perform the duties. I am informed that his selection was not in any way duo to his not having signed the petition referred to. If an established appointment be authorised the claims and qualifications of all the eligible candidates will, of course, be carefully considered before a selection is finally made.