§ 44. Mr. THURTLEasked the Postmaster-General if he will consider the possibility of allotting to ex-service auxiliary postmen who have completed more than six years' service some proportion of the 50 per cent. of the annual vacancies for permament employment at present set apart for post-War ex-service men?
§ Viscount WOLMERThe hon. Member is under a misapprehension in supposing that vacancies in the Post Office are set apart for post-War ex-service men, and I would refer him to my reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for Stroud (Sir F. Nelson) on 25th instant, of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs it not the fact that a certain number of vacancies are given to post-War ex-service men?
§ Viscount WOLMERNo, Sir, they are given to all ex-service men, and ex-service men who fought in the War receive a priority of consideration over those who enlisted subsequent to the Armistice?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the Noble Lord aware that his right hon. Friend in reply to a question in this House some time ago, made a statement totally different from the one now given, and will the Noble Lord give us an assurance that auxiliary postmen who are ex-service men with six years' experience will be considered for vacancies?
§ Viscount WOLMERAuxiliary postmen who are ex-service men are considered on the same basis as other ex-service men, and I can assure the hon. Member that there is no discrepancy between the statement of the Postmaster-General and that I have just made.
§ Mr. R. MORRISONCould the Noble Lord say whether he or his right hon. Friend is giving special attention to the question of improving the conditions of auxiliary postmen?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question does not arise out of the answer.