§ MR. R. HARCOURT (Montrose Burghs)To ask the Postmaster-General if he is aware that recent changes in classification have reduced the maximum rate of pay of town postmen in Montrose from 24s. to 23s. per week; whether he is aware that, while the maximum at Montrose for eighty-five units of work is 23s., North Berwick for instance, with only fifty-four units, receives 25s.; and if steps can be taken to place Montrose postal servants in a better position.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) At Montrose the volume of work is represented by eighty-five units, and the index number for the cost of living as supplied by the Board of Trade is ninety-three. Montrose has, therefore, been properly placed in Class IV. At North Berwick, where the volume of work is represented by fifty-four units, it has been anticipated, by analogy, that the cost of living index number would be above the normal, and the office is, therefore, provisionally put in Class III.