§ MR. CLYNESI beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that postmen in Oldham are paid about 4s. per week less than Manchester, whilst the Board of Trade Returns and other particulars show the cost of living to be slightly higher in the former town; and whether he can consider the case of the Oldham postal servants, on the basis of the memorial they have recently presented, with a view to raising their scale of pay.
§ THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON,) Tower Hamlets, PoplarOldham and Manchester have been classed in accordance with the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee as explained in the Parliamentary Paper, "Post Office (Changes in Wages, etc.)," pages 54 et seq. The classification is based on the volume of work subject to modification where the cost of living is especially high or low. The number of units of work representing the volume of work at Oldham is 409, which places it naturally in Class III., the units of which range from 240 to 800. The cost of living in Oldham is just under normal, so that it remains in Class III. At Manchester there are no less than 9,612 units of work, and Class I. scales are therefore appropriate; while the cost of living is only slightly below the normal. Of course my hon. friend clearly understands that no existing established officers are adversely affected by an alteration in scale. They all go to their old maximum and enjoy all benefits that may be derived from the improved stripe system, Bank holidays, night work, etc.
§ MR. CLYNESHas not the right hon. Gentleman promised to consider specially any cases in which it can be shown that the calculations were made on a wrong basis?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONIf any such information is forwarded I will consider it.
§ MR. CLYNESI understood that a memorial had been sent in.