§ Mr. AMMONasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the practice of recruiting doorkeepers for Post Office buildings in London from ex-service men has been discontinued; whether he is satisfied that it is necessary in the official interests that these posts should be filled by pensioned ex-policemen; and whether he will cause the whole question to be reconsidered, having regard to the high rate of unemployment among ex-service men?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe recruitment of ex-policemen for Post Office doorkeeper posts in London was in force prior to the War, and it was only suspended in order to make pro238W vision for disabled men. The pre-War practice of recruiting ex-policemen was reverted to in 1926, with the proviso that the selection should be confined to those ex-policemen who are also ex-service men. Experience has shown that ex-policemen, who have been accustomed to control the public and to act, when necessary, on their own initiative are particularly fitted to discharge the duties of doorkeepers.