§ Mr. Rowlandasked the Postmaster-General if he will review the rule whereby postwomen can only become members of the established staff after both working for the Post Office for 20 years and attaining the age of 60 years.
§ Mr. Edward ShortYes. Normally women are not eligible at all for permanent (established) appointments as postmen. The rule my hon. Friend mentions is part of a general Civil Service arrangement for giving establishment to long service temporary staff who had not attained it earlier in other ways. This rule was extended exceptionally to postwomen. I am examining proposals that women should be recruited as established postwomen on the same basis as men.