60. Captain CRAIGasked the Postmaster-General if the post office at Hospital, county Limerick, has been for the past four months in charge of Mrs. Ryan, whose daughter has been for two years assistant to the late postmistress, and who has carried out all the duties of the post office at Hospital for her mother to the satisfaction of the public and the Post Office authorities during this period; whether another young lady, who has had no experience whatever, has been appointed; and what are the circumstances which justify this dismissal of Mrs. Ryan and her daughter in favour of an untrained candidate?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question on the 19th December.
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI gave a very full answer.
Captain CRAIGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this young lady has been carrying on the office perfectly satisfactorily to all concerned? That being so, I wish to know why she has been dismissed 614 and another person who has had no experience appointed in her place?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI think the young lady must be aware of the fact that she had no claim to the appointment. She was acting as an assistant in a sub-office, and her qualifications were carefully considered at the time by my local advisers and by those at headquarters, and it was thought that the other candidate had higher qualifications, while the premises offered by the other candidate were better.
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe positions of sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses are usually held by shopkeepers, and previous experience by the applicants is not necessary.