§ Mr. O'GRADYasked the Postmaster-General whether he was aware that a number of senior messengers at the Leeds post office were not receiving the due number of appointments for postmen; whether some twelve of the messengers, of the age of nineteen and twenty years, had been waiting for assistant appointments as postmen for three years, and at present only received an average wage of 9s. per 1465 week; and, if so, would their cases be considered with a view to improving the official status of these young men?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe boy messengers at Leeds are receiving their due number of appointments as postmen; their promotion is slow, owing to the fact that the services of too many boys have been retained in the past. Every effort has been and will be made to provide the youths with substitute duties, carrying suitable wages, pending their appointment as assistant postmen.
§ Mr. O'GRADYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these boys, who are practically young men, and have been three years in the service, are only getting 9s. per week?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI know that statement is made in the question. I regret that promotion is slow owing to the fact that too many boys have been engaged in the past, in consideration of the number of appointments open to them later.