§ MR. SOARES (Devonshire, Barnstaple)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General, whether he is aware there are established rural postmen in North Devon who have served their time in the Army and are now receiving wages of 16s. per week, whilst the wages paid to police constables of the third class in the same district amounts to 21s. per week; and, if so, whether, in view of the effect upon recruiting for the Army, he will state what steps he proposes to take in the matter.
§ THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Lord STANLEY,) Lancashire, WesthoughtonYes. I am aware that there are established rural postmen who have served their time in the Army and are now receiving wages of 16s. a week. I am naturally averse to doing anything which might be considered either unfair to ex-soldiers—or detrimental to recruiting —but as the wages of the established postmen generally and of certain other classes of Post Office employees are now being examined by a Committee appointed by my predecessor, I must defer the consideration of any question affecting the rate of pay of these classes until I have received the Report of the Committee.