§ MR. J. M. MACDONALD (Falkirk Burghs)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that according to the recent Returns of the Board of Trade the cost of living at Falkirk is 97 per cent., as compared with 98 per cent. at Glasgow and 100 per cent. at Edinburgh, and that the wages paid to telegraphists rise to a maximum of 56s. per week at Edinburgh and Glasgow, as compared with 44s. at Falkirk; and whether it is proposed to readjust the Falkirk scales in accordance with the cost of living in that town.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONThe Parliamentary Committee recommend that the classification of each town should depend on the volume of work and on the cost of living. The volume of work at Falkirk is 161 units, which places it provisionally in Class IV., the units of work of which are between 120 and 240. The volume of work at Edinburgh is 4782 units, and at Glasgow 7404, which places them in Class I. The cost of living at Falkirk does not appear to be higher than at Edinburgh or Glasgow.