§ MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether telegraph messengers are being employed on postmen's duties; and, if so, what wages they are receiving, and whether the proper duties of the telegraph messengers now so employed are performed by boys at wages lower than those usually paid to telegraph messengers?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES, Cambridge University)A certain number of the older telegraph messengers are being employed upon postmen's duties to fill temporary vacancies, and in order that they may have an opportunity of learning the work. These youths, if found suitable, will be appointed to the postmen's class, and in the meantime are paid wages of 17s. a week. The duties of the telegraph messengers, withdrawn from their ordinary work, are performed by temporary substitutes at the minimum of the telegraph messengers' pay, in accordance with the general rule of the Service.
§ MR. PICKERSGILLCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many telegraph messengers are now employed in postmen's duty?
§ MR. RAIKESNo, Sir; but I will make inquiry, and let the hon. Member know.