HC Deb 25 June 1888 vol 327 cc1123-4
MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)

asked the Postmaster General, Whether the sorters employed on Sunday duty in the Circulation Department (Inland Branch) petitioned in 1884 for an improved rate of pay; whether, in January, 1885, they asked for a reply to their Petition, which was not given? Whether, in October, 1886, they were told officially that— A scheme was in existence, which would probably be published early in the new year; whether, in January of the present year, having again asked for a reply to the original Petition, they were told by the Controller that "the Postmaster General was in communication with the Treasury;" whether the last statement is correct; and, when a definite answer to the Petition will be given?

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

If, as I presume, the hon. Member refers to extra pay for extra duty, the facts are very much as implied in the Question. The matter has, no doubt, been a long time under consideration, involving, as it does, minute and laborious investigation; but I am not without hopes that a decision may now be arrived at shortly, and I can assure the hon. Member that no effort on my part will be wanting to bring this about.