§ MR. BLACK (Banffshire)To ask the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the rate of pay allowed to adult night messengers in Scotland, especially in view of the hours in which their duties are performed; and, if so, whether he will take steps to increase their pay, and with a view to their further encouragement allow them good conduct stripes for each five years' approved service.
(Answered by Lord Stanley.) My attention has not been called specially to the rate of pay allowed to adult night telegraph messengers in Scotland; but I find, from Returns which were taken in July last, that the pay is quite as high as that given in other parts of the United Kingdom, and I see no reason, therefore, for increasing it. Good conduct stripes are not given to telegraph messengers, even if they be adults, and I am not prepared to make any exception to this rule.