51. Major EDWARDSasked the Postmaster-General whether, as far as ex-soldiers are concerned, Post Office employment is limited to professional soldiers only and that men of the New Armies need not apply; and, if this is so, whether he will consider the advisability of abolishing this restriction and judge the applications of all ex-soldiers on their merits only?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHA preference is being given as far as possible to disabled soldiers, and these are regarded as eligible for situations as established postmen irrespective of length of service in the Army. For posts requiring the service of able-bodied men I feel bound to give a preference to long-service professional soldiers and to auxiliary postmen who have served with the forces during the War, and I regret that I see no likelihood of posts being available for the men of the New Armies generally. The number of ex-soldier applicants is greatly in excess of the number of vacancies available.