§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General to what extent the Post Office in the London area is below authorised establishment, particularly in postmen and postmen higher grades.
§ Miss Pike:The principal vacancies are as follows: 945 on the postman establishment of 18,950 in the London Postal Area; 960 on the comparable female telephonist establishment of 10,400; and some 150 on the overseas telegraph operator establishment of 2,590. There are no postman higher grade vacancies except those in course of filling by normal promotion.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General whether there has been any improvement in the last six months of recruitment of postmen and postmen higher grades in the London area; and when the Post Office in the London area will be fully staffed.
§ Miss Pike:There has been an improvement in the recruitment of postmen in the London area in the last six months, but it has been offset by an increase in the number of posts to be filled. Postman higher grade posts are filled by promotion from the postman grade. There are too many uncertain factors to enable me to estimate when all vacancies will be filled.