§ 69. Mr. Gammansasked the assistant Postmaster-General if he is that as a result of the abolition of the grade of sorter and the chances of Promotion to overseer, assistant superintendent and Superintendent, the Prospects of Promotion of existing Sorters has been considerably worsened; and for what reason redundant sorters who have passed an examination equal to the reconstruction clerical examination are not being offered appointments as general clerical officers in the Civil Service instead of confirming temporary clerical officers who were taken on for the first time during the war.
§ Mr. BurkeI cannot agree that the prospects of advancement of sorters as a whole will be worsened as a result of the abolition of the grade and other changes under the scheme for the re-allocation of postal and telegraph work. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Finchley (Captain Crowder) on 1st March.
§ Mr. GammansIs it not a fact that the number of vacancies now available in the higher grades for these men is considerably less than the number to which they could attain before, and would he say why they are not allowed to sit for this examination in preference to men taken on during the war?
§ Mr.BurkeAs regards the second part of the question, the establishment of temporary clerks was recommended in a White Paper and was accepted by this House. There are considerable possibilities of improved Position for sorters.