§ Mr. WILESasked the Postmaster-General whether, having regard to the recommendation of the Tweedmouth Committee that minor sorting duties should be considered a part of the duties of London postmen, and afterwards that recommendation being made an authority for introducing an annual sorting test for all London postmen subsequently appointed, he can state why a similar recommendation contained in the Report of the Hob-house Committee has been made to apply retrospectively to all London postmen, irrespective of the date of their appointment?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELMinor sorting duties have been performed by London postmen for the last forty years, and the annual test of efficiency has no connection with the Reports of the two Committees referred to by the hon. Member. With the exception of postmen appointed to the London Eastern Central District before 1897, a test has been applied since 1903 to ail London postmen, irrespective of the date of their appointment. As there appeared to be no sufficient reason for any longer treating the Eastern Central District postmen exceptionally the test has recently been imposed in their case also.