§ CAPTAIN CRAIG (Down, E.)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he could, in consultation with the Secretary of State for War, so alter the regulations governing the employment of ex-soldiers in the postal service as to permit such of them as are in possession of Army first-class certificates to be employed permanently as sorters, in view of the fact that the Civil Service examination required for sorters is not so severe as that for an Army first.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) Sorters' appointments are gained by competition, and the hon. Member's suggestion, if adopted, would involve the appointment of ex-soldiers without the competition. I regret that I do not think that such a course would be expedient.