§ 78. Mr. RENNIE SMITHasked the Postmaster-General whether it is the practice of the Post Office to require that in the appointment of postmen a height of 5 feet 4 inches is necessary; and whether there have been instances of ex-service men being turned down on this ground after they have been appointed?
§ Viscount WOLMERThe minimum height limit for the appointment of candidates as postmen is fixed at 5 feet 4 inches, on account of the nature of the work which they are liable to perform within the office. I am not aware of any instances in which an ex-service man has been dismissed on this ground after appointment to an established position, but I shall be glad to have inquiry made into any particular case that the hon. Member may have in mind.
§ Mr. W. THORNEMay I ask whether the height of a man forms his capacity for each different class of work?
§ Viscount WOLMERIt is necessary to have some standard, because the sorting frames are all constructed on the assumption that postmen and sorters are of moderate dimensions. The hon. Member would not find it very easy to sort a letter into a pigeon hole if he could not reach it.
§ Mr. B. SMITHWould the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health stand a chance, should he lose his job?
§ Sir HARRY BRITTAINIs not the breadth of a postman far more important than his height?