Mr. POINTERasked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, in the Birmingham post office, rule No. 177 in the staff rule book is not being observed; that a brother-in-law of the assistant postmaster has been promoted to the rank of overseer over the heads of 116 sorting clerks, and is continually employed on a preferential duty; that a nephew of the assistant postmaster is continually employed on special preferential duties which bring him into direct contact with highly placed officials; that the son of the chief postal superintendent, although young, has received preferential treatment in the matter of duties and is under the control of his father; that the son of a superintendent is repeatedly taken off his own duty to look for tobacco arriving in American mails, for which he receives pay in the shape of a share of the Customs dues; that all these facts have been brought to the notice of the authorities without avail; and whether he will have inquiries made and have the rule referred to observed?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI am having inquiry made into the matters referred to by the hon. Member and will communicate further with him.