Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Postmaster-General why ex-service men who served for long periods in the recent War and received injuries which prevent them from following their usual employment, but who have successfully performed the duties of auxiliary postmen for years, are excluded from any permanent post in the postal service; and will he take steps to place all ex-service men in an equal position?
§ Mr. HARTSHORNPreference is given to ex-service men for all appointments, and to disabled men for such appointments as are not physically unsuitable for them. Auxiliary postmen, as such, have no preferential claim to permanent appointment; but it is open to ex-service men employed as auxiliary postmen to register their names for permanent appointments, and such men are considered when they are put forward in576W their turn by the Employment Exchanges, through whom all ex-service candidates for Post Office appointments are recruited.