§ MR. CLAUDE HAY (Shoreditch, Hoxton)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, with reference to the fact that the proportion of appointments above £160 per annum in the Central Telegraph Office now bear the same relation to the staff below that salary as during the period when the circular was issued promising a prospect of £190, whether he is aware that during the years 1882 to 1892 the proportion was one appointment above £160 to 5.5 below, and that the proportion at the present time is one appointment above £160 to 6.4 below; and, seeing that this difference of proportion represents nearly forty appointments above £160, whether he will take steps to readjust the proportion.
(Answer.) The Postmaster General is not able to accept the hon. Member's figures. Excluding learners, the proportion of appointments in the Central Telegraph Office above £160 per annum to those below £160 was in 1892 as 1 to 5.89, and is now as 1 to 566 The prospects of the general body have therefore been slightly improved during the last ten years.—(Post Office.)