§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that A. A. Cresswell, of Henley-on-Thames, who was in the service as telegraph messenger for three years, and had to vacate the appointment on arriving at the age of 18 years, has (after doing auxiliary duties as postman for 18 months on the understanding—with the local postmaster—that he should have the first vacancy on the establishment) been refused his appointment on the established staff because instructions had been given by the Secretary to the Post Office that the vacancy which had arisen must be filled by an ex-Army man; and whether, under these circumstances, Cresswell's case will be reconsidered?
§ MR. HANBURYThe Postmaster General's attention has been drawn to the case of A. A. Cresswell, auxiliary postman at Henley. It is the fact that Cresswell was recommended by the postmaster for a recent vacancy on the establishment, but, under the rule, the vacancy had to be given to a soldier, and consequently the postmaster's recommendation could not be accepted. In the ordinary course Cresswell would have been, brought forward for a subsequent vacancy, but, as he is now in custody on a charge of theft, it is doubtful at present whether he is a suitable person for appointment.