§ MR. JORDAN (Fermanagh, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if he is aware that though under the terms of Mr. Raikes's scheme of revision, announced in 1890, the commencing wages of sorting clerks and telegraphists were; first year 12s. per week, second year 11s. per week, and third year 18s. per week, this scale was refused to the staff at Enniskillen, and instead, one of 12s. per week, rising by annual increments of 2s. per week, insisted on; that this matter was submitted to the surveyor, who replied that Mr. Raikes's scheme did not apply to that office, and is he aware that the form used by the postmaster of Enniskillen when recommending the starting pay had the initial scales of pay given by Mr. Raikes printed on the margin; and whether inquiry can be made with a view to restitution to those sorting clerks and telegraphists on the establishment at Enniskillen, appointed subsequent to July, 1890, and prior to February, 1896, who have been affected.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThere appears to be some misapprehension in this case. The scale of pay for sorting clerks and telegraphists on appointment at Enniskillen, sanctioned by the Treasury in 1890, was the same as at all other offices of a similar class— namely, 12s. the first year. 14s. the second year, and 18s. the third year, and then rising by 2s. per week annually to the maximum. It appears, however, that two officers, who are probably those referred to, did not enter the scale at 12s. 83 per week, but, in pursuance of further authority obtained in 1891, granting a concession to officers who had rendered unestablished service of not less than a year and had attained certain qualifications, wore allowed to enter the scale at 14s. a week; and in their case the pay was, as laid down in the authority, 16s. a week for the second year, and 18s. a week for the third year; so that instead of receiving 12s. a week for the first year, 14s. a week for the second year, and 18s. a week the for third year, they received 14s. a week for the first year, l6s.a week for the second year, and 18s. a week for the third year. Another officer, appointed in 1892, with longer unestablished service, was, in accordance with the same authority, allowed to enter the scale at 10s. a week, receiving 18s. a week for the second year, then rising by 2s. per week annually.