§ 91. Mr. Sharpasked the Postmaster-General when the regulation insisting that postmen should not be less than 5 feet 4 inches in height was first introduced; what were the supporting reasons; whether they still apply; and why disabled ex-Service men of the Regular forces who are only 5 feet 3 inches in height are unsuited for such employment.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingThe regulation was introduced generally in 1910. Sorting letters forms an important part of a postman's normal duties; and men who are less than five feet four inches in height would generally have difficulty in reaching the upper parts of the sorting frames.
§ 92. Mr. Sharpasked the Postmaster-General whether he will reconsider the application for employment as postman of Mr. J. Judge, 3, Back Cross Street, Birstall, near Leeds, a disabled ex-Service man of the Regular Forces, whose application was rejected on the grounds that he was only 5 feet 3 inches in height.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingI have inquired into Mr. Judge's case, but I regret that, in fairness to other ex-Service men in the same position, I should not be justified in making in his favour an exception to the regulations.