§ Major CLIFTON BROWNasked the Postmaster-General (1) if he is aware that an auxiliary postman with a pension 2097W of 20 per cent. receives 25s. 10d. per week, whereas if such a man had been on unemployment insurance he would be receiving 37s. per week for doing nothing; and if he will, in order to encourage men who prefer to work, look into the possibility of giving these men permanent posts as opportunity arises;
(2) if, in view of the fact that permanent postmen's positions are only offered to men with a 30 per cent. disability pension, he is aware that this works out very unfortunately for men who were given auxiliary postmen's situations, but whose pensions have fallen below 30 per cent. during their service with the Post Office and who are now debarred from getting permanent positions; and will he look into this matter to try and adjust this difficulty?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONAuxiliary postmen are part-time employés paid at an hourly rate and it is possible, especially in cases where the part-time employment is short, that the Post Office wages would amount to less than the unemployment pay. The Post Office aim, where possible, at obtaining for part-time duties men who have other sources of income as well as their Post Office pay. My hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension in stating that permanent postmen's positions are only offered to men with a 30 per cent. disability pension. First preference is given to such men, but if they are not available or are not suitable for the vacant posts, ex-service men with a disability of less than 30 per cent. and able-bodied men are considered for employment. Employment as auxiliary postman confers no claim to established appointment, but auxiliary postmen who are ex-service men and who record their names at the Employment Exchanges or with the National Association, are put forward for full-time established appointments in their turn with other ex-service men on the waiting lists.