§ 96. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Postmaster-General whether temporary sorters are now being discharged after a period of 7½ years' service; whether, at the elimination of the present excessive overtime being performed by the regular staff within his Department, he could stay the present discharges; and, if so, would he inform the discharged temporary men accordingly or grant them a gratuity on compassionate grounds of length of service to compensate them in their present economic needs?
§ Mr. PEASEThe employés referred to were engaged during the War in a purely temporary capacity to replace officers absent with the Forces, and their services are being dispensed with in ordinary course on the resumption of normal conditions. I regret that these officers are not eligible for gratuities under Section 4 of the Superannuation Act of 1887. The average overtime now being performed in the London Postal Service is comparatively small in amount, and affords no justification for additional staff. Should, however, the employment of further temporary staff be necessary, the Post Office is pledged to give preference to ex-service men. By means of a special competition held in September last, temporary officers were afforded an opportunity of securing permanent appointments.