HC Deb 25 February 1904 vol 130 cc1004-5
MR. J. F. X. O'BRIEN (Cork)

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he will † See page 564. say on whose authority the special rate of pay for the working of American mails in the Cork Post Office was abolished; and whether, seeing that this rate which was in vogue for twenty years had the sanction of Parliament as an encouragement to the staff to expedite their work, steps will be taken to restore it.

LORD STANLEY

The change to which the hon. Member refers was sanctioned in the ordinary course. I am informed that only one man suffered temporarily from the change, and that to the extent of one penny per hour. In his case I have sanctioned the payment of the former rate.

MR. J. F. X. O'BRIEN

Is there any authority to override the sanction of Parliament?

LORD STANLEY

I think we have perfect power to alter the scale of pay according to the duty which may be imposed. I am going more fully into the question of this mail at the present time.