MR. FIELDI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster-General, whether in the Sorters' Department of the Post Office the sorters are paid only every fortnight; whether they are obliged to give a stamped receipt for their fortnight's salary; and whether this tax upon their earnings can be discontinued by weekly payments.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R. W. HANBURY,) PrestonSorters are borne on the following scales, namely:—18s. a week until 19 years of age and competent, then £52 a year, rising by annual increments of £6 to £160. So long as they are in receipt of the weekly wages of 18s. they are paid weekly, but when placed upon the higher scale of annual salaries they are paid twice a month. On the 1st they receive any salary due for the preceding month, and in the middle of the month they receive a payment on account of the salary for the current month. A stamped receipt is, of course, required for an amount of £2 and upwards, whether the salary is paid weekly or monthly. It is not intended to alter the existing practice.