§ Mr. W. BAKERasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that dissatisfaction has been caused among the staff at St. Albans on amount of the appointment in August to a vacant assistant inspectorship of an officer over the heads of five competent senior officers on the acting list; that the senior officer who was then performing acting duties was one of those passed over; and that since appointment three other officers have been placed on the acting duties over the heads of a number of senior officers; and whether he will have inquiry made into the appointment and the selections for the acting list?
§ Viscount WOLMERI have had inquiry made as desired by the hon. Member. The officer who was promoted was reported to be a man who in his general qualifications was clearly better fitted for the higher post than the officers whom he passed over. There is no formal acting list on the assistant inspectors' grade at St. Albans; but I am satisfied that the trial on higher duties of the three officers referred to was necessary and involved no injustice to the officers senior to them.