§ MR. KENDAL O'BRIEN (Tipperary, Mid.)To ask the Postmaster-General whether, in considering the claims of the provincial night messengers, the scale of pay of the night messengers at Sheffield and Hull at present in force will be taken into account as well as the advisability of awarding good conduct badges to messengers of approved service, or whether he will consider the question of establishing a scale of pay for these officials on a similar basis to that prevailing in the Customs service for watchers employed in somewhat similar duties as the night messengers.
(Answered by Lord Stanley.) The scale of pay for the adult night telegraph messengers at Sheffield and Hull is obsolete, and cannot, therefore, be taken into account as the hon. Member suggests. I see no reason for awarding good conduct stripes to provincial night telegraph messengers, but I am considering their rate of pay, and, if I find any change is necessary, I will announce it when I am able to state to the House my decision as regards other classes.