§ Mr. W. GRAHAMasked the Post-master-General whether the officer who was recently promoted over ninety-three of his seniors at Edinburgh had no experience in the supervision of staff on the floor of a sorting office; whether a large proportion of the men passed over had been tested and had demonstrated their ability to perform such work to the satisfaction of 'the Post Office; whether he is aware that on 14th September, 1918, the Controller at Edinburgh laid it down in writing that ability to perform all the duties of the higher class was essential to promotion; whether the same gentleman, on the 3rd January, 1919, in his endeavour to justify the promotion in question, stated in writing that it is not essential, neither is it always practicable, to give a trial on all the duties of the higher class; and whether, having regard to the complaints in most of the large offices, he will cause an inquiry to be made into the present system of selection?
§ Mr. PEASEThe officer in question was selected for promotion because he had shown powers of organisation of a high order. He had not actually been employed as an overseer on the floor of the sorting office, but his capacity for such work was beyond doubt. It is not the case that a large proportion of the officers passed over had demonstrated their ability to perform the duties satisfactorily. I am aware of the statements quoted, and I agree that an officer of conspicuous merit72W need not have performed every duty of the higher class in order to qualify for promotion, provided that his superior officers are satisfied that he is capable of performing the duties. The Postmaster-General does not see any ground for an inquiry into the system of selection.