§ 44. Mr. BETTERTONasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Regulations of the Post Office, which prescribe that a Post Office servant cannot retain his seniority on transfer 1044 unless the transfer is a compulsory one, operate with great hardship upon their servants who, by reason of disability the direct result of war service, are compelled to ask for a transfer; and whether, seeing that such cases should be placed in a different category to those where the transfer is asked merely to suit the-personal convenience of the transferor, he will make such alteration in the Regulations as will ensure that Post Office servants who suffer disability as a direct result of war service shall not be penalised in consequence of disability arising from such service?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Pike Pease)To allow seniority to be carried in cases of transfer on the grounds of health would result in inflicting hardship on a number of officers through no fault of their own. The present rule that seniority is not carried in such cases has been in force for many years, and is accepted by the staff generally as the most equitable arrangement.
§ Mr. BETTERTONDoes the right hon. Gentleman not agree that there is a wide distinction between the case of a man who leaves his locality as a result of disability caused by war service, and the case of a man who leaves a locality merely to suit his own purposes?
§ Mr. PEASEI sympathise with those cases. But this arrangement is accepted by the staff generally as the best method. Anyone who sympathises with these particular men must also sympathise with those who lose their seniority.
§ Mr. BETTERTONAs the right hon. Gentleman says he is sympathetic, would he be prepared to receive a deputation or representations from members of the staff, who are by no means satisfied?