§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN (Worcestershire, E.)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he has decided to apply an age limit of sixty to the tenure of Post Office medical appointments; and, if so, whether he has considered the hardship involved in enforcing the new rule at short notice on existing holders of these appointments who have hitherto had reason to suppose that their appointment would continue as long as they were able to discharge their duties efficiently.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINTo ask the Postmaster-General why the medical officer of the Redditch Post Office has been called upon to retire; whether any complaint has been received from the staff under his care as to his discharge of his duties; and, if not, whether, having regard to the hardship involved in applying a new age rule suddenly to existing holders of appointments supposed to be for life or during good behaviour, he will reconsider his decision in the case of this officer.
§ (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) It will be convenient to answer these Questions together. It seems expedient to review annually the efficiency of medical officers over sixty years of age, retaining those only who are found to be thoroughly efficient, and retaining none in any circumstances over seventy years of age. Of those over sixty, fourteen have been found to be inefficient, and to these notice has been given; and I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman would not advise their retention in so important a post. The medical officer to the Post Office at Redditch is over sixty years of age. I regret to say that, after full consideration of all the circumstances affecting 1299 him, I have felt bound to decide against retaining his services.