§ Mr. John Pageasked the Postmaster-General why permanent pensionable posts as overseas telegraph operators in London are advertised as being open to men and women under 36 years of age, thus debarring older people from posts which would appear to be suitable for those of mature years.
§ Mr. MasonPress advertising is directed to the age group which provides 67W suitable recruits in reasonable numbers. Experience has shown that, apart from proficient touch-typists, people in their late thirties and over have difficulty in acquiring the manipulative ability to operate efficiently the teleprinters and other equipment used in the overseas telegraph services. Recruitment literature sent to applicants for employment explains that people aged 36 and over will be considered if they can touch-type at 30 or more words a minute. This condition used to be mentioned in Press advertisement but the response from siutably qualified applicants was very poor.