§ 52. Mr. BARNESasked the Postmaster-General whether a sorter in the London postal service, who has performed overseer's duties for some years and has received substitution pay for the higher duties, is to be passed over for promotion in favour of a junior officer said to be better qualified, and, if so, when did this latter officer display better qualities; why, in the interests of the public service, has an alleged less capable officer been kept to higher duties; and are the alleged superior qualifications of the junior officer based on his being a non-member of the sorters' trade union?
§ Captain NORTONMy right hon. Friend is not clear to which case the hon. Member refers; but if it is the case about which he answered a question put by him on the 21st instant, he can only add to the reply already given, that membership of a trade union or staff association is never taken into account in considering the claims of officers to promotion.