§ 18. Mr. Geoffrey Cooperasked the Postmaster-General if, in the case of redundancy for employment, selection for dismissal is made on the basis of merit or is the policy of last in, first out invariably followed, with the result that ex-Service men recruited since demobilisation under this policy are the first to be dismissed.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingTemporary staff, as they become redundant, are discharged in accordance with an order of priority agreed in principle on the Civil Service National Whitley Council and in detail with the Post Office staff representatives. Briefly, those with the shortest service go first, but a preference is given to ex-Service men of the 1914-18 war and to severely disabled persons.
§ Mr. CooperWhilst appreciating from my right hon. Friend's reply that some attempt is being made in his Department to see that there is fair play, I wonder whether he could use his general powers of direction, or any influence which he has with the B.B.C., to see that similar standards of fair play are exercised there, because I am informed that ex-Service men are being declared redundant while at the same time new staff are being engaged and the new jobs are not being offered to the ex-Service men?
§ Mr. PalingI could hardly commit myself to that. As my hon. Friend knows, the B.B.C. has sole control in these matters.
§ Mr. CooperWould my right hon. Friend at least look into this matter?