§ MR. LUTTRELL (Devon, Tavistock)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether rural postmen at sub-offices are placed at a disadvantage in comparison with postmen employed in town as concerns medical treatment; and, if so, whether steps can be taken to allow of medical attendance and supply of medicine to all servants of the Department alike whose pay does not exceed £150 a year?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. A. MORLEY,) Nottingham, E.The Department is constantly extending its medical system as opportunity offers; but, paid as its medical officers are by means of a capitation allowance in respect to each man placed under their charge, it will be obvious that the system cannot be established except where Post Office servants are employed in sufficient numbers. Where this is the case, for attendance on one Post Office servant who is ill, even if the illness be of some duration, the medical officer finds compensation in not having to attend others whose health remains good; but, of course, such a system as this, depending as it does upon averages, is not adapted to places where Post Office servants are employed singly or in twos and threes. Under these circumstances, I fear I can hold out no hope that any system will be adopted which would supply every Post Office servant in the Kingdom whose pay does not exceed £150 with medicine and medical attendance gratuitously.