§ 15. Mr. HUNTasked the Postmaster-General whether there were applications from postmasters and others for the post-mastership of Warrington; if so, were the applicants all incompetent, and was this the reason that it was found necessary to give the office to an ex-National Telephone employé with less than two years' service; and can he say whether this ex-National Telephone employé had passed the same examinations as the Post Office men who also applied for the situation?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThere were a number of applications for the postmastership of Warrington from officers fully competent to undertake the work; and from these I selected the officer whose appointment, in my judgment, would best further the interests of the service. The officer selected, having been transferred from the National Telephone Company, had not had the opportunity of passing a Civil Service examination; he served nearly thirty years with the company, and I may remind the hon. Member of the undertaking of the Government that service with the company would be regarded as of the same value as service on corresponding duties in the Post Office for the purpose of seniority.