HC Deb 09 September 1887 vol 321 cc9-10
MR. CLANCY(for Mr. DEASY) (Mayo, W.)

asked the Postmaster General, Whether he has received a Petition from the letter sorters employed in the Holyhead and Kingstown Packet Post Office praying for an answer to a Memorial sent by them to his Predecessor, Lord Wolverton, in which they asked to be put on an equality with all other travelling sorters by being paid for Sunday work; if half of the number engaged on the packet are in the second class, and have the same expenses while remaining at Holyhead, as sorters travelling from London; if the trip allowance is the same as allowed to all other travelling sorters; if the average rate of wages is the same; and, whether he will consider the exceptional severity of a marine service, and place these sorters on the same footing as other travelling sorters by granting them the usual extra pay for Sunday work?

THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)

My Predecessor received the Petition referred to; but I have not had an opportunity of ascertaining the opinion which he formed upon it. The subject is engaging my attention, and an answer will be sent to the Memorialists in the usual way as soon as I am in a position to do so.

MR. CLANCY

Is it likely that the answer will be as long delayed as Lord Wolverton's?

MR. RALKES

I hope not, Sir.