Mr. ALLENasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that 24 sorting clerks and telegraphists, who are redundant on the telegraph side of the head post office at Belfast, are being continuously employed in the blocking of an equal number of vacancies on the postal side; and whether, as these redundant officers are all expert telegraphists with service ranging from 10 to 15 years, who are being employed on bag-opening and letter-sorting duties, he will consider the advisability of finding outlets for them in other branches of the Civil Service, where their clerical and telegraphic qualifications would be of greater benefit to the State?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHI am aware of the position. The redundant telegraph staff is being employed to good advantage on postal duties. Various outlets for the staff are provided by means of limited competitions, of which I hope the Belfast staff will take advantage; but I do not consider preferential treatment to the detriment of other interests would be justified.