§ Mr. SLOANI beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he will explain why the day telegraph messengers at Belfast Post Office are only paid at the rate of 6d. a dozen for delivery of telegrams, instead of 7d. a dozen as formerly; and whether, seeing that messengers having more than one telegram for the same person or firm only receive one token, value ½d., instead of a token for each message, he will state what is the rule in other cities and who is responsible for the above arrangement; and will he consider the advisability of granting the messengers payment for each individual message delivered to one firm or person.
LORD STANLEYThe day telegraph messengers at Belfast are paid for delivery of telegrams at the rate of 6½d. a dozen, and not 6d. as the hon. Member appears to think. That rate has been in operation since August, 1899, having then been reduced from 7d., as the higher rate yielded pay beyond what was justified. The rule in force at Belfast that messengers having more than one telegram for delivery at the same address are only paid as for one telegram is in operation generally throughout the service, and I see no reason for making any alteration in this respect.
§ MR. SLOANDoes not the noble Lord see any reason for increasing the payment to 7d. per dozen, the rate at which it originally stood?