§ Mr. Kellyasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that recently in the London telephone service, sales branch, a promotion to a higher clerical post was made; that the officer promoted had less than eight years established service; that the officer so promoted was not a clerk; that among clerks not promoted are a large number of suitable officers with 20 or more years of established service and that such a promotion is a departure from the agreed method of filling such posts; and whether steps will be taken to prevent the future filling of higher posts on the clerical side of the office by the promotion of non-clerical grades to the detriment of suitable and available clerical officers with many years of established service?
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§ Major TryonI have been asked to reply. The promotion of a sales supervisor in the London Telephone Service to the higher clerical grade has recently been authorised. The officer concerned is an ex-service man who has been employed in the Post Office since January, 1920, although he did not become established until April, 1929. His promotion is in accordance with an arrangement which has been operative since 1925, under which sales supervisors in the London Telephone Service are eligible on their individual merits in competition with the clerks in that Department for promotion to the higher clerical posts in the district sales offices. The clerks are also eligible for promotion to the much larger number of higher clerical posts in the other offices of that Department. The arrangement does not contravene any agreement with the staff, and I see no adequate reason for modifying it.