§ Mr. HAYDAYasked the Postmaster-General how many ex-service men are at present employed as temporary sorters in the Belfast post office and how many have been dismissed or notified of the termination of their services during the past three months; whether he is aware that these men are ineligible to sit as candidates at the limited examinations for the positions of sorting clerks and telegraphists by reason of a Regulation which precludes ex-service men who were not continuously employed in the Post Office for at least one year prior to the Armistice; and whether, in view of the circumstances, he will waive the condition so far as that area is concerned or, failing that, consider the advisability of offering these men alternative appointments as postmen, provided that they are prepared to accept nomination for such positions?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSTwenty-nine ex-service men are at present employed as temporary sorters in the Belfast Post Office. During the past three months the services of three have been dispensed with, and a fourth is under notice to leave on the 9th instant. Temporary officers are ineligible to compete in the ordinary limited competitions for 1949W appointment as sorter, which in normal circumstances are held once a year among postmen and similar grades. On the recommendation of a Whitley Sub-committee a special competition was, however, held in September, 1921, among members of the temporary manipulative staff who had been engaged before the Armistice and had served for not less than a year. The temporary service of the men concerned gives them no special claim to appointment as postman, and, in view of the large number of candidates with claims, I regret that it is not possible to nominate them exceptionally to postman-ships. If they wish to become postmen they should register at the Employment Exchange, if they have not already done so.