§ MR. BIGGARasked the Postmaster General, Whether it is a fact that during fourteen weeks the letter carriers of Belfast only received an advance of pay amounting on the whole to £29 9s. 5d. or at the rate of £94 12s. 1d. per annum, although they were promised £278 per annum; and, if the facts are as stated, 5 will he be good enough to explain the discrepancy?
§ MR. FAWCETTThe figures mentioned by the hon. Member as to the increase of pay which the letter carriers of Belfast have up to the present time received are substantially correct. No promise was given that the immediate increase of pay would amount to £278 a-year. The Return which was furnished to me was that this would be the increase in the cost at the mean; and the difference arises from the fact that whereas the scale at the maximum has been increased by 1s., there has been an increase in the scale at the minimum of 4s. a-week, and, consequently, the cost will be proportionately increased by new appointments.