§ 32. Mr. AMMONasked the Postmaster-General why it has been considered necessary to go so far down the 2613 seniority list of the tracing staff employed in the Accountant-General's Department in order to find officers qualified for inclusion on the acting list'?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER -GENERAL (Viscount Wolmer)A large number of supervising officers are due to retire under the age limit in the near future, and it is necessary that opportunity should be taken of testing the fitness for promotion of a certain number of officers of outstanding promise.
§ Mr. AMMONWill the Noble Lord kindly reply to the question, why it has been considered necessary to go so far down the list before giving opportunities for the men to act?
§ Viscount WOLMERIn the circumstances, I have explained that it was necessary to bring some men, who were regarded as being of outstanding promise, up for trial somewhat earlier.
§ Mr. AMMONDoes that mean that all those with greater seniority have been passed over without any opportunity?
§ Viscount WOLMERIt does not mean that all have been finally passed over.
§ Sir HENRY CRAIKMay I ask whether it is to be understood that there is any party in this House in favour of promotion merely by seniority?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is the time for putting questions to Ministers—not to others.