§ Mr. AMMONasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that an unestablished sub-office assistant has recently been appointed to be salaried sub-postmaster at Budleigh Salterton; if he will state the number, rank, and service of the established officers who applied for the post, and why an unestablished officer was preferred to established full-time officers of long experience; and whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction created among the staff because of the nature of this appointment?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe officer appointed to this post had over 30 years continuous service in the Post Office, and had for the past 20 years taken charge of the Budleigh Salterton Office during the absence of the sub-postmistress. The number of eligible established officers who applied for the post was 99, 95 of whom were sorting clerks and telegraphists. Of the others, two were salaried sub-postmasters, one a salaried sub-postmistress, and another an overseer. Their service varied in length from nine to 32 years. I am of opinion that the selection made was in the best270W interests of the service; and I am not aware that dissatisfaction was caused by the appointment.