§ Mr. SUMMERBELLasked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the notice which has been issued at Sunderland and other places that before an officer can be promoted to an acting assistant inspector of messengership it is very desirable that he should be fully qualified in all respects for promotion, and that attention is drawn to the fact that a knowledge of drill is a necessary qualification; and will he say whether applicants lacking a knowledge of drill, but capable in all other respects, will be debarred from such positions?
§ Mr. BUXTONThe notice to which my hon. Friend refers was the result of Instructions which were recently issued on the subject of drill qualifications. It is very desirable that an officer promoted to an acting assistant inspectorship of telegraph messengers, or, indeed, to any situation in the Post Office, should be fully qualified in all respects for promotion. A knowledge of drill is one of the essential qualifications for the post of acting assistant inspector of telegraph messengers, and the notice referred to was issued with the view of making this fact quite clear to the staff and of urging candidates for these posts to obtain the necessary drill qualification. I may add that, generally speaking, any officer fully qualified in all respects except drill would be given an opportunity of acquiring the necessary drill knowledge.