HC Deb 14 April 1899 vol 69 cc1128-9
MR. STEADMAN

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster-General, will he explain why clerks employed in the small amalgamated post offices in receipt of 34s,, 36s., 38s., and 44s. per week have no chance for further increasing their salary, whilst their brother officers in the larger towns are in receipt of 52s., 54s., and 56s. per week; will the Postmaster-General consider some method to increase the wages of the class employed at these small offices, considering the similar nature of the work performed; will he explain why these clerks, when transferred to larger offices, are entered on the bottom of the list, and stand below all the junior officers, no matter what established service they might have performed in the smaller office; and will he give instructions that these clerks, who now have to make four and five attendances in one day extending over 15 hours, should not make more than two or three attendances in one day extending over 11 hours?

SIR J. GORST (for Mr. HANBURY)

Sorting clerks and telegraphists employed in the small amalgamated post offices have the chance of obtaining improved pay in three ways, namely— (1) By promotion to superior posts at their own offices; (2) by the removal of their offices to a higher class on growth of business; and (3) by transfer to larger offices. The difference in the maximum wages is held to be justified by the difference in the quality of the duties to be done; and it is in accordance with the recommendation of Lord Tweedmouth's Committee, which gave the matter special consideration. The Postmaster-General is not prepared to reopen the question. It is a standing rule of the Service that officers transferred to other offices should enter at the bottom of the list. The officers already there could not justly be deprived of their seniority. The Postmaster-General will be glad to receive specific information as to the cases which the honourable Member has in view in the latter part of Ins Question. Ho is not aware that a large number of officers have to make four or five attendances in one day extending over 15 hours.