HC Deb 16 October 1912 vol 42 cc1251-3W
Mr. HOUSTON

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists among the telegraphists in the Liverpool post office in consequence of senior men being superseded and passed over by their juniors when vacancies occur in the higher class; whether men as low on the seniority list as Nos. 81, 88, 95, and 93 have been promoted over their seniors, and, if so, what, is the reason for the same; whether he is aware that the majority of the staff in Liverpool are under the impression that favouritism and nepotism are the causes of juniors being promoted over the heads of their seniors; whether be is aware that several of the men who

have been superseded and passed over by juniors have been highly commended by their chief for the excellence of their work; and whether he will agree to the appointment of an independent Commission to inquire into the grievances of the Liverpool telegraphists?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

The promotions on the telegraph side at Liverpool to which the hon. Member refers have been made solely with a view to the efficiency of the service, and no other consideration has entered into the matter. It was a matter of regret to me to pass over so many senior officers, but I could not regard any of them as possessing the necessary qualifications for promotion in so high a degree as the officers selected. The question of promotion in the Post Office service has been raised before the Select

Committee, and I am not prepared to agree to the appointment of an independent Commission to inquire into the grievances of the Liverpool telegraphists.

Mr. HOUSTON

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the disorganisation existing in the sorting departments of the Post Office in London and elsewhere resulting in inconvenience to the public through delay in delivery of letters; whether he is aware that the delivery of express letters, for which an extra charge is made, is at times worse than the ordinary postal delivery, and that no satisfaction can be obtained from the Post Office for the inconvenience caused thereby; whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction which exists among the public with the telephone service, more particularly the trunk lines; whether such disorganisation and inconvenience are caused by the dissatisfaction of Post Office employés arising through the insufficient number employed and dissatisfaction in connection with the methods of promotion; whether he is aware that this inconvenience and dissatisfaction has considerably increased since the removal of the late Postmaster-General to the Board of Trade; and whether he proposes to give these evils his immediate attention with a view to remedying the same?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

The answer to each part of the question is in the negative.