§ 94. Mr. NANNETTIasked the Postmaster-General whether he will state if the last three appointments to the position of overseer in the Dublin telegraph office involved the passing over of a qualified officer, who has performed the duties for the last four months; whether the recent appointments were the original selections of the Dublin controller; and why the filling of these appointments was delayed four months?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe last three appointments to the position of overseer in the Dublin telegraph office did not involve the passing over of an officer who was in my opinion qualified for promotion. Moreover, promotion does not necessarily fall to the first officer on the list who can be considered as qualified, but to that one considered to be the best qualified of those eligible. The delay in making the promotions was due to detailed inquiries which it was considered necessary to make as to the qualifications 824 of available officers. The responsibility of selecting officers for promotion rests with myself; and I am unable to furnish the hon. Member with information as to the recommendations made to me by the supervising staff.