HC Deb 08 March 1911 vol 22 cc1365-6W
Mr. JAMES PARKER

asked the Postmaster-General whether the reservation of places in the Post Office for boy messengers completing a term of service with the colours has been recommended by the Standing Committee on Boy Messengers, and accepted by himself; and whether he will state if the number so employed will form part of the 50 per cent. of places now reserved for ex-soldiers and ex-sailors in the Post Office, or whether it will be in addition to that number?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I have accepted a recommendation of the Standing Committee on boy messengers that boys who complete a period of service with the Colours should have a certainty of succeeding to vacant postmanships. Vacancies so filled will form part of the fifty per cent. now reserved for ex-soldiers and ex-sailors in the Post Office.

Mr. PARKER

asked the Postmaster-General whether he issued a circular to the heads of his Department on 30th January last, stating that he had accepted the First Report of the Standing Committee on Boy Messengers, and detailing immediate steps to be taken in connection therewith; whether the Report contains the assurance of future employment in the Post Office for those messengers who serve a term of service in the Army; and whether, in view of the fact that a proposal to recruit the Army by boys whose only other alternative will be dismissal at a stated age, is a matter of public interest, he will give instructions for the immediate publication of the Report?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

A circular was issued to District Surveyors and Heads of Departments on the 30th January announcing my acceptance of the First Report of the Standing Committee on Boy Messengers, and detailing steps to be taken in connection with it. The Report proposes the assurance of future employment as postmen to those messengers who qualify for vacancies reserved for ex-soldiers and ex-sailors by a period of service with the colours. Instructions were given on the 13th February for printing the Report, and I hope that it will be available in the course of a few days.