LORD CHARLES BERESFOED (Woolwich)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that the postmen at Woolwich are the only public servants in that borough who are treated in regard to pay as if they were serving outside of the Metropolitan area, their rate of pay being lower than that paid to the established postmen at Blackheath and Greenwich. And whether, considering that the cost of house rent and of living generally is as high in Woolwich as in other parts of the Metropolis, he will take into consideration the case of the Woolwich postmen, and have them placed on the same footing as regards pay and other conditions as postmen serving in other parts of the Metropolitan area.
(Answer.) Woolwich is not in the Metropolitan postal district, but the postmen are paid higher wages than are given in some parts of that district, and fully as high wages as at other towns where the conditions are similar. Applications from the postmen for an increase have already received consideration, but no special circumstances have been found to exist entitling them to more favourable treatment.—(Post Office.)