HC Deb 03 May 1906 vol 156 cc698-9
MR. MORRELL (Oxfordshire, Henley)

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in the parish of Bix, near Henley-on-Thames, the total sum paid for hire of post office, with light, firing, etc., and the services of the postmistress is £10 15s. a year, or rather more than 6d. a day, and that for this remuneration the postmistress has to be on duty from 6.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 6.50 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. to 11.50 a.m. on Sundays, making a week of 84½ hours; and whether he will take steps to increase the remuneration.

(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton): The emolument of the sub-postmistress of Bix appear to be as stated by the hon. Member. The sub-postmistress, like most sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses in charge of commission sub-offices, has a private business. The amounts such sub-postmasters receive from the Post Office, in the form of commission on the comparatively few simple duties they perform for the Department are merely adjuncts to the income derived from their ordinary business. The period during which the sub-postmistress of Bix provides for attendance for Post Office work of necessity covers a good many hours per diem, but it is not to be assumed that the work occupies any very large portion of this time. The Select Committee will consider the question of the emoluments of the sub-postmasters.