§ MR. T. LOUGH (Islington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury as representing the Postmaster General, whether, whereas under the Tweedmouth Report only two medical examinations were required for men on probation for appointment to sorterships, many who have already passed two examinations are now required to pass a third; and whether, if this be so, the Postmaster General will see his way to remove this obligation in the case of existing probationers?
§ MR. HANBURYThe Tweedmouth Committee recommended that the probationary period of two years with three medical examinations should be reduced to one year with two medical examinations one at the beginning, and the other at the end of the period. Under the old system the intermediate examination was not quite so stringent as the other two, and the Postmaster General fears that it will not be possible to regard it as satisfying the requirements which the Tweedmouth Committee had in view. All concerned will, therefore, still have to undergo the final examination which is necessary before their appointments can be confirmed; but the probationers who have not passed the intermediate examination will of course be relieved from the obligation of undergoing it.
§ MR. T. R. LEUTY (Leeds E.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, has the Postmaster General considered the advisability of dispensing with guarantee from officers entitled to pension, as recommended by the Tweedmouth Committee; and, has the Post Office adopted the efficiency barrier, recommended by the Committee to be imposed when the wage is forty shillings, or is it likely that it will be adopted; if so, will the Postmaster General give information as to the nature of the barrier?
§ MR. HANBURYThe question of these guarantees is under consideration, but the Postmaster General is not yet in a position to come to any decision. The efficiency bar referred to by the hon. Member has been adopted. The terms of the certificate under which an officer can pass that bar have been communicated to the heads of branches and surveyors; they are as follows:—
I certify that the officer named in the accompanying schedule is fully qualified to perform the highest duties of his class; that his attendance is regular, and that his conduct is in every respect satisfactory. There are no (or the following) official records of cases reported to head quarters against him.