§ MR. CHAMBERLAINasked the Postmaster General, Whether it is a fact that some years ago the salaries of telegraph clerks were fixed, according to a classification then arranged, at the following rates: Probationary 8s. to 14s. a-week; Third Class 14s. to 17s.; Second Class 17s. to 24s.; Maximum 30s.; whether it is true that during the last three to four years no female clerk has been promoted beyond the third class, and that vacancies in the superior classes have been filled up in all cases by the promotion of male clerks; and, whether it is intended by the department that 17s. a-week shall be the maximum allowed to female clerks, however competent and whatever the length of their service; and, if not, if he would state why no promotion of female clerks into the second class has been recently permitted?
§ LORD JOHN MANNERSSir, in 1872 the scale was fixed as follows:—Probationers, 8s. to 14s. per week; third class, 14s. to 17s.; second class, 18s. to 24s.; and first class, 25s. to 30s. With a slight alteration which worked beneficially, that scale is still in operation, but the exigencies of the Service have recently required the appointment of more male clerks. The question of the promotion of the female clerks is, however, now under consideration, and it is not intended that 17s. per week should be the maximum allowed to female clerks.
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINpointed out that the noble Lord had not replied to the second part of his Question.
§ LORD JOHN MANNERSI thought I had explained that recently, owing to the exigencies of the Public Service, male clerks have been more largely employed, and especially for night and newspaper work, and consequently there has been a delay in the promotion of female clerks.