§ Mr. BOWERMANasked the Postmaster-General how many counter clerks and telegraphists have applied, in the form of memorials or otherwise, for permanent employment on writing duties in postmasters' offices in London since January, 1912; how many of these applicants have since been employed on such duties either permanently or for short periods; whether five vacancies for overseers occurred at branch offices, and most of them were filled by officers who had been permanently employed on writing duties; whether the three counter clerks and telegraphists passed over have either had no experience of writing duties, or had performed such duties for short periods only, but have performed substitution duties for branch office overseers for varying periods during the past ten years; and whether, in view of the intimation that greater weight is necessarily attached to writing duty qualifications, and that it is open to the counter and telegraph force to apply for employment on such duties, he will grant the application of the senior officers who have so applied, in order that their chances of promotion may not be further prejudiced?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI will make inquiry, and communicate further with the hon. Member as soon as possible.