§ Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALD (Leicester)To ask the Postmaster-General whether, in fixing the maximum pay for postmen at Leicester at 27s., he took into account the average wages paid to other workmen in the town; and whether, in reducing the postmen's maximum to 27s., he was aware that he was bringing them on a level with unskilled labourers.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) As I stated on the Supplementary Estimates, I have adopted the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee which deal with questions of remuneration. They recommend certain scales of wages for postmen, and they also recommended reclassification of all the towns for the purpose of assigning to each its proper scale of wage, on an uniform basis, following the classification for sorting clerks and telegraphists, as modified by the reduction of the number of classes. The actual position of each town was, therefore, to depend on two factors. First, the volume of work, and secondly, on the cost of living as ascertained by the Board of Trade. In the case of Leicester the number of units of work is 1,441, which brings it into Class 2, the limits of that class as regards volume of work being 800 to 1,700 units. The index number, representing the cost of living is ninety-three, the average being 100. Leicester, therefore, remains in Class 2, and comes under the scale recommended by the Committee for that class. It is obvious that a reclassification, such as that recommended by the Committee, must lead to some towns going up in class and some down in class. But, as I have already stated, any reduction in the scale of a class applies to new entrants only and not to existing members of the class. The cost of living is ascertained by the Board of Trade, and I receive their results. But I am willing to forward to them any representations which may be made to me to show that their estimate of the 1318 cost of living in any particular town is unduly low or high, and to these they will give consideration. As regards the question of the maximum, I would point out that the figure of 27s. quoted by the hon. Member is not the real remuneration received. To this must be added other advantages, such as boot allowance, Sunday pay, uniform, medical attendance, pension, etc., bringing the total value up to about 36s. Further a postman obtains if well-conducted, six good-conduct stripes, equivalent to 6s. a week. His total emoluments and privileges as a postman of Class 2 should, therefore, at their maximum, be valued not at 27s., but at about 42s. It must also be remembered that his employment is regular and permanent.