THE EARL OF LAUDERDALEasked the Under Secretary of State for War, Whether the preference in certain departments of the Post Office, which it is intended to give to men who have been in the Army Reserve, applies also to old seamen and marines. He hoped to hear that men who had served 20 years in the Navy with good characters would be made eligible for any longshore berths open to the Army.
§ LORD NORTHBROOKsaid, he had been informed by the Postmaster General that the plan for employing in the Post Office persons connected with the Army Reserve was not yet matured, and he could not, therefore, answer at present as to the extension of the preference to others. His right hon. Friend, however, was of opinion that if there were any seamen and marines holding an analogous position to those serving in the Army Reserve—not pensioners, but younger men, capable of active service—the advantage should be extended to them, and he had communicated with the Secretary to the Admiralty on the subject.