asked the Postmaster-General whether a sorter who has performed overseers' duties for some years is to be passed over for promotion in favour of a junior officer said to be better qualified; if so, will he say when this latter officer displayed better qualities; and why, in the interest of the public service, has an alleged less capable officer been kept to duties and only set aside when the appointment is about to be made.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to questions asked by him on this subject on the 21st and 28th of last month.

asked the Postmaster-General under what authority he denies liability for damage to the clothing of an officer of his Department caused by a broken basket being used in the sorting office, such accident being attested by witnesses and in no way contributed to by the person suffering such damage?

I am advised that no legal liability would rest on a private employer in similar circumstances; and I should not feel justified in altering the present practice in such cases of not making good the damage out of public funds, unless the failure to detect that the basket was broken was due to the want of ordinary precaution on the part of a supervising officer.