asked the Minister for Post and Telegraphs if he will state in regard to three postal sorters who are seeking appointment as Post Office clerks (1) whether they entered the Post Office service under the British Government with identical conditions of employment as the 14 others whose claim was recognised in 1942, (2) whether they sat for and passed the final examination in 1923 before the reorganisation scheme of 1924 which qualified them for the post they claim and (3) whether no further examination was held in which they could compete until 1936, and, further, if he will state whether these three officers are being deprived of the right to a position which would have been theirs but for the reorganisation scheme of 1924.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of Post Office Clerks.
(1) These three officers and the 14 other officers referred to by the Deputy, in common with a large number of other officers, entered the Post Office service as temporary boy messengers prior to the change of administration. The decision taken in 1942 about the 14 officers was not based on the conditions of entry, as I explained in my reply of 3rd June, 1953.
(2) The 1923 examination in which the three officers competed successfully was for retention as boy messenger and subsequent nomination as postman. It gave them no right to any other appointment.
(3) The first limited competition confined to postmen for appointment as Post Office clerk was held in 1935.
(4) These officers have not been deprived of any right, either by the reorganisation of 1924 or otherwise.