§ Mr. SANDYSasked whether during the year ending 30th September, 1910, 1,364 men who had served in the Army found employment in the Post Office; whether this number was 232 fewer than in the preceding twelve months and 349 fewer than in the year before that; whether the reduction in the number of appointments given to ex-soldiers is being continued; and what is the reason for such reduction?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI have not been able since this question was put down to verify the hon. Member's figures which relate to years ending on 30th September, and not to calendar years; but I may say that the number of established appointments as postman or porter given to ex-soldiers and ex-sailors in each of the last three calendar years is as follows: 1908, 1,334; 1909, 1,223; 1910, 1,366. While the proportion of these appointments filled from the Army and Navy remains constant, the number of vacancies varies somewhat from year to year.
§ Mr. ASHLEYAm I to understand that there is a fixed proportion allotted to Army and Navy men?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELYes, Sir; certain proportions of appointments are reserved for ex-soldiers and ex-sailors.