HC Deb 28 March 1912 vol 36 cc750-1W
Mr. NANNETTI

asked the Postmaster-General whether a sorting clerk and telegraphist promoted to the rank of overseer in the Dublin sorting office last January passed over 134 of his seniors; was outside influence exercised to secure this official his promotion, and have all the superintendents in the sorting office denied having recommended him; and would he take measures to prevent, such, treatment of senior efficient and well-conducted officers?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

It is the case that the officer referred to was 135th on the list of sorting clerks and telegraphists in the Dublin Sorting Office, but I have no reason to think that any outside influence was exercised. He was selected solely because he was held to be better qualified than any of his seniors for the particular work proper to the higher appointment. Although some time ago he was not favourably reported upon, I am assured that recently very favourable reports had been received.

Mr. WILLIAM ABRAHAM (Dublin Harbour)

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that an officer who stood at No. 25 on the seniority list in the telegraph office, Dublin, has been promoted to the rank of overseer; whether he is aware that this officer has repeatedly failed to pass the necessary examination for the Hobhouse technical allowance, and also failed at the recent departmental technical examination; and that officers passed over possessed first-class technical certificates and have passed the departmental technical qualification examination, and that their official records are excellent; and if he can say what exceptional qualifications, other than personal ties with higher officials, procured the advancement of this man over the heads of senior, more efficient, and better qualified officers?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

The fact is as stated by the hon. Member. The officer in question is exempt from technical examination before promotion to the rank of overseer, under a concession made by me at the request of the staff. I have no information as to his efforts to obtain a technical allowance; but in regard to his general qualifications for promotion, I may refer to the answer which I gave on the 22nd instant to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for the College Green Division of Dublin.