§ Sir J. Nallasked the Postmaster-General why, in engaging temporary postmen to fill vacancies during the present emergency, the age limit for engagement has been fixed at 50 years; whether he is aware that many men now unemployed who have been temporarily employed by the Post Office during successive Christmas seasons are available and fit for temporary duty although over the age of 50 years, and will he make exceptions in suitable cases now to employ men Who are available and fit for temporary duty?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonNo upper age limit has been laid down for the recruitment of temporary postmen during the war. The standing rules of the Department provide that in recruiting Christmas staff preference should be given to men under 50, as the younger men are more likely to adapt themselves to Post Office work, and it may be that in areas where there is no shortage of applicants, a 593W similar course has been followed during the present emergency. I can assure my hon. Friend, however, that there is no bar at the present time to the employment of suitable men over 50 years of age.