§ 28. Mr. McKinlayasked the Postmaster-General why fit and efficient supervising officers in Glasgow post office are being compulsorily retired at 60 years of age with no right of appeal; and is this action in line with Government policy?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonSo far as the needs of the service permit, fit and efficient supervising officers at Glasgow and elsewhere are being retained in the service after 60 years of age. Of the fit and efficient supervising officers at Glasgow who have reached 60 years of age, or will do so by the end of May, 20 have been, or will be, retained in the Service, and 9 have been, or will be retired at, or within a few months of, their 60th birthday. These retirements were decided upon in order to ensure that after the war there are sufficient younger supervising officers with the necessary experience to enable them to fill the higher supervising posts.
§ Mr. McKinlayIs the Department in the fortunate position that it can dismiss physically fit and efficient supervisors of 60 years of age while at the same time asking school children to take up work at the Post Office?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe school children came in at Christmas, which is a very big peak period at the Post Office in war and in peace, but the needs of the service demand that there shall be an avenue of promotion for younger supervising officers, so that when the time comes they will be able to fill the higher posts. On the whole, we are retaining a great number of men over 60 years of age at the moment.
§ Mr. McKinlayIs it not a fact that there is plenty of room in the Services for the younger supervisory grades, and should these fit and efficient men all be retained by the Post Office, which is in a better position than any other Department?
§ Mr. MorrisonNo, Sir, that is not so.
§ Mr. MathersCan the right hon. and learned Gentleman say what proportion of the total the numbers he has quoted represent?
§ Mr. MorrisonNo, Sir, I cannot say without notice, but I could work it out for the hon. Member.