§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked the Postmaster General, Whether it is a fact that many male clerks in the Savings Bank of from ten to fourteen years' service are still on the lowest class of the establishment, with very remote prospects of promotion; whether any scheme for the amelioration of their condition is included in the "beneficial changes" said to have been determined upon; and, whether he will state the number of appointments respectively to the male and female establishments of the Post Office Savings Bank since the 1st day of January, 1876, together with the number of superior appointments created since that date in each case?
§ MR. FAWCETTSir, I am not in a position to state what will be the effect of the changes to which the hon. Member refers. It is the case that there are clerks in the third class of 10 to 14 years' service. Their chances of promotion in the future depend upon the 1609 requirements of the Department and their individual efficiency and conduct. The number of appointments made since the 1st of January, 1876, has been 158 on the male staff with 13 superior appointments, and 156 on the female staff with 15 superior appointments. I may add, however, that the salary allotted to a superior appointment on the female staff is about one-third of that allotted to an appointment of the same rank on the male staff.
§ MR. O'DONNELLasked, whether complaints had reached the right hon. Gentleman on the part of the female clerks, that they were required to do the work of male clerks for very much less than the remuneration of male clerks?
§ MR. FAWCETT, in reply, said, he had no doubt that female clerks would be extremely glad to have an increase of salary; but he might say that the female establishment at the Post Office was in a very satisfactory position, and he had no difficulty in finding most eligible persons to fill the appointments.