HC Deb 14 December 1970 vol 808 cc938-9
21. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will issue a general direction to the Post Office Board that as a General rule it should not bar from employment in the Post Office otherwise suitably qualified persons, on the stated grounds that its refusal of employment is due to the applicant having purchased his release from the services.

The Minister of Posts and Telecommunications (Mr. Christopher Chataway)

No, Sir.

Mr. Lewis

Will the Minister look into this and into correspondence which I have had with the Managing Director of the Post Office Board about one of my young constituents who joined the Navy on boys' service who came out on the purchase of his discharge and wanted to get a temporary job with the Post Office pending taking up a course and was told that because he had purchased his discharge the Post Office could not employ him? Is this not a disgusting and disgraceful state of affairs? Will the Minister look into this and stop such things in the future?

Mr. Chataway

I understand from the Post Office that there is no discrimination of that kind, but recruitment of staff is a management matter for the Post Office.