To ask the Postmaster-General whether he can state why the vacancy for the postmastership of Cardiff, caused by the superannuation of the postmaster, was not advertised in the Weekly Circular, and that on 13th August, 1907, notification was given in the Post Office Circular that Mr. T. T. Fairgray, postmaster of Exeter with a salary of £625, had been promoted to Cardiff, salary £750, not giving every officer an equal chance of making application, and why Mr. Fairgray was appointed to the postmasterhip of Shrewsbury, 28th January, 1902, salary £550, and postmaster of Exeter 10th November, 1903, salary £625, although no notification was given in the Official Circular of the vacancy at Exeter; and whether Shrewsbury and Exeter are the headquarters of the Post Office district surveyors.

The vacancy in the postmastership of Cardiff occurred just after other postmasterships with similar salary had been advertised, and as the names of all possible candidates had already been collected there was no necessity or advantage in advertising the vacancy at Cardiff. Mr. Fairgray was appointed to the postmasterships named by the hon. Member because on each occasion he was considered to be the most suitable officer for the position. Shrewsbury and Exeter are the headquarters of district surveyors, but the hon. Member is mistaken if he thinks that appointments to postmasterships are made by the district surveyors.