§ Mr. W. GRAHAMasked the Postmaster-General whether the appointment of a London sorter to the postmastership of Ware was made on an impartial comparison of the qualifications of the candidates; the number of applicants for the position and their Post Office rank; whether the officer referred to was the best qualified from the point of view of experience of Post Office work; whether service in the Army is taken into account in making appointments to postmaster-ships; and, if so, why, in view of the fact that it is giving weight to a factor not available for all competitors?
§ Mr. PEASEThe appointment in question was made on an impartial consideration of the qualifications of the candidates. The number of candidates was 99, and they held various ranks from that of postmaster downwards. The officer appointed had served since the commencement of the War with the Royal Engineers Postal Section, during which time he displayed exceptional controlling and organising ability in connection with postal matters. He has for some time652W past been in charge of the whole of the postal services for the Army of the Rhine; and I am satisfied that he was the best qualified officer for the post referred to. If service in the Army has enabled an officer to demonstrate the possession of special qualifications for a vacant post, it is, in my opinion, proper to take them into account.