§ MR. SWEETMAN (Wicklow, E.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether some Dublin telegraphists have recently been asked to accept a rate of 3s. a day for duty on coast stations, in connection with the Naval Manœuvres, although a much larger sum has hitherto been given for such duties; whether he is aware that these men complain that they cannot live on an allowance of 3s. a day in a crowded seaport town when they are there only for a short time; and whether it is the practice of the Post Office to pay as low wages as competition will enable them, or to pay a living wage?
§ MR. A. MORLEYIn accordance with the practice which obtains both in Ireland and in this country the telegraphists sent from Dublin to Coast Stations in connection with the Naval Manœuvres have been informed that they will be paid 3s. a day, except in the case of a few stations where the cost of living will be enhanced, and there the rate may be 4s., or even 5s., a day. Last year one of the Dublin telegraphists, who was paid 5s. a day, complained that it was not enough, and asked for 12s., but, on inquiry, it appeared that the complaint was not well founded. With reference to the latter part of the hon. Member's question, I may explain that the payments are not wages, but are allowances in addition to wages.