§ MR. JAMES O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether his attention has been called to the complaint as to the question of fixed wages for rural postmen; and whether he will consider the advisability of recommending the immediate abolition of the practice of appointing rural postmen on a fixed wage.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe wages of rural postmen are fixed according to the work performed and the rate of wages current in the district, the minimum being 16s. a week in Great Britain and 15s. a week in Ireland. The Postmaster General sees no reason for substituting wages on a scale for fixed wages where the latter method of payment has been adopted.
§ MR. JAMES O'CONNORMay I ask if the rural postmen have no chance of getting more than 15s. a week in Ireland and 16s. in Great Britain?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI had better have notice of that Question.