§ MR. SCHWANN (Manchester, N.)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether, in accordance with the undertaking given by his predecessor to consider the claims of the smaller classes in the postal service to improved scales of pay, he has considered the claims of linemen in the provinces, and whether the maximum pay of the general body has been reduced from 40s. to 38s. per week, as from November last; and, if so, what are the reasons for this reduction of pay.
LORD STANLEYThere has been no reduction of pay for linemen now in the service. But in order to afford adequate remuneration for certain superior duties I have recently introduced a class of senior linemen on scale 39s., 1s. 6d. to 45s. a week. This rendered it necessary to reduce the maximum of the class below, for new entrants, from 40s. to 38s. a week.