§ 51 and 52. Mr. W. J. BROWNasked the Postmaster-General (1) the number of higher clerical officers employed in the Post Office stores department as at 1st April, 1931; and the number of higher clerical officers promoted to higher posts during the period 1st April, 1930, to 31st March, 1931;
(2) the number of higher clerical officers employed in the Post Office Savings Bank as at 1st April, 1931; and the number of higher clerical officers promoted to higher posts during the period 1st April, 1930, to 31st March, 1931?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Attlee)The male higher clerical officers employed in the two departments mentioned numbered 17 and 79 respectively. No male officers on this grade were promoted during the period specified. Women higher clerical officers are not employed in the stores department; 98 were employed in the Savings Bank and six promotions were made from this grade during the period in question.
§ Mr. BROWNIn view of the very inadequate promotion avenue which these figures reveal, will the Postmaster-General give this matter his consideration with a view to improving the promotion avenue?
§ Mr. ATTLEEI shall be quite prepared to look into the matter. As the hon. Member knows, promotions are made partly from the executive and partly from the higher clerical grade, and in some departments there has been rather a block of promotion recently.