§ Mrs. Ganleyasked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether the same opportunities for advancement are available to ex-Service Post Office sorters as are afforded to those who remained in the Service through the war years; and, if not, whether he will consider some method of alleviating what appears to be a grievance.
§ Mr. BurkeThe direct line of promotion for sorters is to overseerships and thence to higher supervising posts. Under special wartime arrangements agreed with the staff associations concerned, men serving with the Forces have been considered for promotion equally with their colleagues remaining in the Post Office service and, on selection, have been promoted in their absence. I am not aware of any grievance in regard to these arrangements. As members of the minor and manipulative grades, sorters, who were not considered for clerical appointments while they were away with the Forces because their qualifications were not sufficiently well known, will be specially considered for clerical appointments when they return to the Post Office provided that they are above the age limit for the reconstruction clerical competitions. In addition 20 per cent, of the reconstruction vacancies in the Post Office and 10 per cent, of those in other Departments will be reserved for those eligible by age to take the reconstruction limited competition. At least 50 per cent, of these vacancies will be reserved for ex-Service candidates.