§ MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)To ask the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been directed to complaints from sub-postmasters in Wales with regard to the amounts of their pay and allowances; and whether he will consider the advisability of taking steps to remedy the alleged grievance.
(Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) I can only call to mind one complaint of this nature. The sub-postmaster in question had committed the very serious offence of altering the name of the payee and the office of payment on three postal orders presented at his office. These orders had been stolen, and, as the sub-postmaster's action enabled the stolen orders to be cashed by the thief, the sub-postmaster was required to refund the 10s. In appealing against this decision he complained that his commission and allowances were inadequate. On a review of the facts I saw no reason for increasing his commission and I directed that he should be so informed.