§ Mr. DOUGLAS HALLasked the Postmaster-General whether it had been the custom in the past to fill up the vacancies on the sorting staff of the General Post Office by a certain proportion of ex-soldiers and sailors; and whether, by reason of the fact that in the future boy messengers are to be promoted to the position of sorters without previously passing the usual examination, a number of ex-soldiers and sailors will be deprived of the opportunity of securing employment at the Post Office?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIt has not been the custom in the past to fill vacancies on the sorting staff of the General Post1974W Office by a certain proportion of ex-soldiers and ex-sailors. Ex-soldiers and ex-sailors who are serving as postmen or porters will in future as in the past be allowed to compete for sorterships by Means of examinations limited to adults already in the service of the department. Boy messengers will not be appointed as sorters without passing the usual examintion.