§ 25. Mr. JOWETTasked the Postmaster-General whether three male cleaners at Bradford, one of whom has done sorting work as a season's assistant for years and two others have done work, have been refused permission to apply for appointment as postmen, whilst other cleaners, with shorter records of service, who have not had any experience in his Department except as cleaners, are being appointed as postmen, the reason for this preference being that the cleaners selected have previously been in the Army or the Navy; and will he say if it is. the settled policy of his Department in this matter to close and bolt for ever the door leading to promotion against certain members of the Post Office staff irrespective of their character, ability, and industry, and of their length of service?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe three male cleaners referred to are ineligible, under the policy which has been followed for many years past, for appointment as established postmen, as they have not served in the Army or Navy, or as boy messengers, and they could only be granted such appointments at the expense of candidates who have had previous service in one or other of those capacities. The other male cleaners mentioned had had such service.