HC Deb 31 October 1946 vol 428 c763
19. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why non-Service disabled men are refused employment as postmen.

Mr. Burke

In accordance with longstanding Government policy, the Post Office is pledged to allocate 5o per cent. of postmen vacancies to ex-Service men; the remaining vacancies are required to provide outlets for boy messengers and auxiliary (part-time) postmen already in Post Office employment. The arrangements, therefore, do not provide for the direct recruitment of non-Service men, whether able-bodied or disabled.

Mr. Davies

In view of the long-standing agreement, does not the Minister think it is time that this was revised, as industrially disabled men are excluded from obtaining employment as postmen at the present time?

Mr. Burke

On the contrary, I think the fact that we have had another war makes the claim of ex-Servicemen, and particularly disabled ex-Servicemen, of whom we employ over II per cent., more important now than it was before.