§ MR. JAMES O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he has ascertained that it is a fact that the sick pay of unestablished men, who have met with accidents on duty, has been reduced since July last; and, as this affects men on small pay, will he take steps to see that the former practice of paying full wages to unestablished officers absent from duty through such accidents is reverted to.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) Prior to 1st July last, on which date the Workmen's Compensation Act, which applies to Government servants, became law, unestablished officers of the Post Office received full pay when their absence from duty was due to accident on duty. The men in question get the full benefit of the provisions of the Act, which are in some respects more and in other respects less favourable than the arrangements in force before.