§ MR. W. T. WILSON (Lancashire, Westhoughton)To ask the Postmaster General whether vacancies exist for the position of second-class superintendent and two overseerships in the Bristol telegraph office; whether the postmaster at that office regards the membership of the Postal Telegraph Clerks' Association as being a disqualification for the positions and has made inquiries respecting the attendance of members of the staff at association functions in connection with his recommendations for these superior positions; and whether, in view of the fact that a well-known non-trade unionist was especially selected to fill a recent vacancy over the heads of senior men holding superior technical qualifications, he will inquire into the administration at Bristol.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 95 of the recent Report of the Select Committee on Post Office Servants. That paragraph, with which I entirely agree, states the principles which I have always followed in making promotions in the service. No distinction is made between members of associations and others.