§ 32. Sir P. Hurdasked the Postmaster-General whether in order to avoid the disorganisation of secondary school classes in Wiltshire, he will issue an instruction that secondary scholars are not to be taken into permanent Post Office employment before the end of the secondary school course upon which the parents have agreed with the education authorities?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonThe Post Office has no desire to encourage secondary school pupils to leave school prematurely against the wishes of the local education authorities, and in 1941 instructions were issued to head postmasters in Wiltshire not to recruit such pupils unless the education authorities were willing to release them. If in any special case a head postmaster still desired to recruit a pupil despite the objections of the education authorities, he was to consult his headquarters before taking any action. I regret to find that these instructions were overlooked in one recent instance and two girls were irregularly recruited locally without reference to headquarters.
§ Sir P. HurdMay I take it that my right hon. Friend realises the extreme objection to any action of his countervailing the action and policy of the Government with regard to secondary education?
§ Mr. MorrisonI have no desire at all to interfere with the education of secondary school pupils. The only point I keep in mind is that sometimes the fortunes of a family change, and it becomes advisable for the boy to get good employment. Then, if everybody is agreed, I am unwilling to refuse him entry to the Post Office where he can get a good career, not a blind-alley occupation, and can rise to any position which his talents justify.
§ Mr. LeachAlthough the right hon. Gentleman desires not to interfere with the course of secondary education, that is precisely what he is doing all along.
§ Mr. MorrisonNo, Sir, that is not the case.