77. Colonel THORNEasked the Postmaster-General whether temporary postal workers with seniority of service are being discharged whilst females with juniority of service and lower rates of wages are being retained; whether this action on the part of subordinate officials is in accord with the principle governing demobilisation of the temporary war staff as laid down by him and agreed to by the workers' representatives concerned; whether he will take immediate steps to reinstate those male employés at present under dismissal, thereby conforming to the agreed principle of length of service; and if he will take action in the matter?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Illingworth)The standing instruction is that temporary Post Office employés, whether male or female, should be discharged in the inverse order of the length of their temporary employment. If the hon. Member will furnish particulars of any cases in which the rule does not appear to have been followed, I will have inquiry made.
§ Colonel ASHLEYDo discharged soldiers and sailors who have been demobilised get any preference in respect to discharge?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHI shall require notice of that.