§ Mr. COMPTONasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the grow- 1349W ing discontent existing in the telegraph department of the Manchester Post Office with regard to the method of selecting supervising officers for promotion; that in December, 1921, an assistant superintendent was promoted to the rank of superintendent over the heads of 15 other assistant superintendents; and that in July, 1922, an officer was appointed to the rank of assistant superintendent over the heads of 32 officers; and whether, in order to remove any further cause for discontent, he will institute an inquiry into the method of selection for promotion at Manchester?
§ Mr. HARTSHORNThe facts as regards the two promotions are as stated by my hon. Friend. Under the Post Office regulations the officer selected for promotion should be the best qualified of those eligible. In both these instances the officers promoted were reported to be markedly superior in ability and general qualifications to those who were passed over, and I am not aware of any grounds for holding an inquiry.