§ 39. Mr. John Pageasked the Postmaster-General, in view of the shortage of postmen in most areas resulting in a deteriorating delivery service, what new steps he is taking to recruit more women sorters and delivery workers.
§ Mr. Edward ShortThe delivery service is not deteriorating. Serious shortages of postmen occur mainly in certain offices in the Midlands and the London area. In such places, we make continuous efforts to employ postwomen and part-timers whenever it is practicable to do so.
§ Mr. PageThe fact is that 50 per cent. fewer women than men are now employed in the delivery services. Will the Postmaster-General make much more effort to recruit women in the Harrow area and in other nearby areas, because 1473 the delivery service is becoming a public scandal?
§ Mr. ShortThere are a number of women employed in the Harrow area. This is a problem which has been with successive Governments. The only difference between the employment of men and women is that women are not on pensionable service. Many of them have been employed for many years. We are, however, trying all the time to make progress in this problem, but I think that the hon. Member understands the difficulty. The service in Harrow is not deteriorating. It is, in fact, improving.
§ Mr. RoebuckIs my right hon. Friend aware that the postal service in Harrow is certainly not scandalous, that the number of postmen employed is almost up to establishment and that all my constituents are very grateful indeed for the hard work done by the Post Office?