§ MR. ANNAN BRYCETo ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the amounts of Treasury Bills current on 30th June, 30th September, 31st December, and 31st March, respectively, in each of the financial years from 1896–7 to 1906–7.
(Answered by Mr. Asquith.)
§ soldiers, and then stated that he was not prepared to favour any proposal likely to weaken the ordinary workmen's economic position; whether he is aware that the Post Office authorities are now employing as telegraphists in London soldiers who are still serving with the colours, paying them 6s. 6d. only for 945 forty-eight hours attendance; and, seeing that this departure is contrary to the statement made to the deputation and weakens the economic position of other men in civil service, will he order its discontinuance.
§ (Answered by Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman.) The hon. Member's summary of my remarks is, I think, substantially accurate. With regard to the latter part of his Question I am informed that under a recent arrangement with the War Office a certain number of soldier telegraphists still serving with the colours are lent to the Post Office temporarily to aid in the reduction of season pressure at provincial telegraph offices. These soldiers retain their regimental pay, but as that is scarcely enough for their maintenance whilst temporarily employed by the Post Office it is made up out of postal funds to 24s. a week, which is a very usual rate of remuneration for a substitute telegraphist. Wages of 6s. 6d. a week are not offered, but there may probably be cases in which 6s. 6d. is the supplement added by the Post Office to the regimental pay. If any of these men pass ultimately into the permanent employment, of the Post Office they will be placed on the same scales of pay as other established officers.