§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, how long the scale has been in force by which the salaries and allowances of sub-postmasters in Ireland are now fixed; what is the average of the salary and allowances of a sub-postmaster in charge of money order, savings bank, and telegraph office, and whether he has to pay out of that sum for assistance, office rent, and other expenses; what are the office hours in such an office; and is there' any intention to revise the scale of remuneration?
§ MR. HANBURYThe scale has been in force since July 1886. It is applicable to the whole of the United Kingdom alike. The salary and allowances of a sub-postmaster are generally based upon commissions on the work done. There are more than 10,000 sub-offices (including 6,200 telegraph offices) at which money order and savings bank business is transacted, and it is not practicable to state 164 the average emoluments of the sub-postmasters. As a rule, the sub-postmaster is required to meet all the expenses of his office, but in some cases, where the business is considerable, he is granted special allowances for rent and assistance. In a few cases, indeed, payment by commission is withdrawn, the postmaster is granted a fixed salary and allowances, and an established staff is employed. The office hours are, as a rule, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The office of a sub-postmaster is, of course, generally held by a small shop-keeper who carries on the work with his private business, and the present scale of remuneration is found to be sufficient to induce well qualified persons to seek appointment. It is not, therefore, intended to revise the scale of remuneration.
§ MR. A. O'CONNORMay I ask whether it is within the option of the employé to be paid by salary or by commission?
§ MR. HANBURYI am not sure, but I will obtain the information.