§ MR. R. J. PRICE (Norfolk, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether it is true that the new scale of allowances to sub-postmasters for delivery of telegrams has been reduced as follows: from 1 mile to 1½ miles, 33 per cent.; from 2 miles to 3 miles, 25 per cent.; from 3 miles to 4 miles, 25 per cent.; and from 4 miles to 5 miles, 25 641 per cent.; and whether it is intended that any part of the cost of the proposed reduction in porterage of telegrams should be paid by sub-postmasters?
§ MR. HANBURYNo new scale of allowances to sub-postmasters for the delivery of telegrams has been definitely fixed. The Postmaster General, however, hopes that, by the extended use of the cycle and in other ways, it will be possible to effect some economy in the arrangements for delivery, and he has asked for a report from his local officers on the expediency of adopting a scale which at some points involves the reductions stated by the hon. Member. The Postmaster General will, however, see that the allowances are adequate for the services performed, and it is certainly not his intention that any part of the cost of the proposed reduction in porterage of telegrams should be paid out of the remuneration of the sub-postmasters, whose duty it is to pay the allowance whatever it may be to the person delivering the message.