§ 58. Captain FRASERasked the Postmaster-General if any permanent male clerical officers in his Department are redundant at the present time and being transferred to other Departments; and, if so, why boys and girls from the recent open competitive examinations are being appointed to his Department?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Viscount Wolmer)There is some redundancy of male clerical officers in one of the London Departments and in some provincial districts, and transfers to other Government Departments have 1855 been made from time to time as opportunity offered. No boys have been appointed from the last open competition for some months past. The girls from the open competition have been appointed to women's branches, which are not necessarily affected by the male redundancy.
§ Captain FRASERIs not my Noble Friend aware that the Ministry of Pensions employs no less than 95 per cent. of ex-service men in its offices, and could not the Post Office retain the services of these few men?
§ Viscount WOLMERYes, Sir; we already employ a great many thousand ex-service men.