§ Mr. LONSDALE (for Mr. Moore)asked the Postmaster-General if there is a dispensing power in himself to appoint, on a vacancy, as postmaster a licensed person in the case only of sale of liquor for consumption off the premises, under the rule No. 24 (b) of 1907, and if he claims any dispensing power in those cases where the applicant has a licence for consumption of liquor on the premises; and, if so, will he state under what Rule?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Sydney Buxton)The Rules made by the Postmaster-General are intended for the guidance of his staff. He is at liberty 563 himself to vary them or alter them at any time. The powers of appointment conferred on the Postmaster-General by Patent from the Crown are unfettered. I may add, however, that, as I have more than once stated in the House, post offices are not opened on licensed premises except under very exceptional circumstances, and the numbers of these are reduced from time to time where possible.