HC Deb 20 August 1883 vol 283 cc1348-9
MR. HARRINGTON

asked the Postmaster General, Whether it is the fact that no remuneration has been given to rural letter-carriers under the arrangements of the Parcels Post, though the salaries of town letter-carriers have been raised; whether, in the general instructions issued to postmasters, Rule 57 enacts that rural letter-carriers who have to walk fourteen miles or upwards are to be relieved from the walk on alternate Sundays, and a substitute paid to perform the duty; and, whether it happens that, in cases where a substitute cannot be procured, and the letter-carrier is compelled to perform the work, the remuneration allotted for a substitute is not given to him?

MR. FAWCETT

The wages of the town letter-carriers were not, as the hon. Member seems to suppose, revised in consequence of the Parcel Post, the change of scale having been carried out more than a year ago. At the same time, the system of giving good conduct stripes was extended to the whole country, and the rural letter-carriers participated in the advantage. I explained some time since, in reply to a Question addressed to me by the hon. Member for Monaghan (Mr. Healy), that the wages of rural letter-carriers are adjusted according to the amount of work they have to do, and the wages prevailing in the locality. With regard to the relief afforded to rural letter-carriers by providing a substitute on alternate Sundays, I believe at the present time there is not a single instance where it is not found possible to provide a substitute in the case of foot messengers, and not more than half-a-dozen in the case of mounted messengers. Under these circumstances, I do not think it will be expedient to alter the rule to which the hon. Member refers.

MR. HARRINGTON

inquired whether the duty of finding the substitute devolved upon the postmaster or the postman; or whether, if a substitute could not be found, the postman would be compelled to perform the duties?

MR. FAWCETT

said, it devolved upon the postmaster, and he had orders to report if there was not a substitute I forthcoming. The authorities then wrote back telling him to make a further search, and to offer, if necessary, a somewhat higher allowance. The result had been as he had said—that in not a single instance, he believed, throughout England, Ireland, and Scotland, had a rural post messenger been without a substitute on alternate Sundays.

MR. HARRINGTON

said, he would give the right hon. Gentleman an instance.

MR. FAWCETT

said, if the hon. Gentleman would, he would be much obliged.