HC Deb 16 June 1884 vol 289 cc407-8
SIR HERBERT MAXWELL

asked the Postmaster General, Whether there is any reason against the telegraph clerks in Edinburgh and other cities receiving extra payment for Sunday labour on the same scale as that received by the same class for similar work in London?

MR. FAWCETT

, in reply, said: Previous to the now classification in 1881, when the position of the sorters and telegraphists generally throughout the country was considerably improved, sorters and telegraphists in the Provincial offices were not paid extra for Sunday work. By that classification, no sorter or telegraphist is ordinarily called upon to do more than eight hours' work in four Sundays; and if he is employed for a longer period than this, he is paid for overtime. Sunday work in the Post Office in London has always been an exception, and therefore all work which is done in London on Sunday is paid for as overtime.

SIR HERBERT MAXWELL

But Sunday labour in Scotland is an exception.

MR. FAWCETT

It never has been in the Post Office so considered.