§ MR. SHACKLETONI beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that skilled mechanics have had to leave the employ of the postal factory through not receiving trade union rates, and will he take steps to ensure that where piece-work is insisted upon skilled men shall not receive less than the trade union rate of wages; and also, is he aware that at the present time skilled mechanics of many years service are not receiving the trade union rate of wages when working day-work.
§ THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Lord STANLEY,) Lancashire, WesthoughtonI am not aware that skilled mechanics have left the Post Office factories because they have not received trade union rates of pay; and I am not prepared to take steps in the direction indicated by the hon. Member. The men employed in the factories work only forty-eight hours a week; they get holidays with full pay; and when sick they get "sick" pay. I believe that they regard the terms of employment as satisfactory, and there is no difficulty in getting good workmen to enter the service.