HC Deb 12 May 1908 vol 188 cc942-3
MR. JAMES O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.)

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General can he state the number of years during which Nicholas Ryder of Baltinglass, county Wicklow, has discharged the duties of auxiliary postman; what wage did he receive for the first year of his appointment, and how much per week is he now paid; on how many occasions since his appointment has a vacancy for an established postman occurred in the Baltinglass postal district; and whether Ryder may entertain any hope of being promoted to an established postman's position.

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

Ryder has been employed as an auxiliary postman for over nineteen years; he received 8s. a week for the first year, and he now receives 11s. a week. He is, of course, only employed part of his time. Only one vacancy for an established postman has occurred in the Baltinglass district since Ryder was first employed; and I fear that I can hold out no hope that it will be possible to promote Ryder to the establishment.

MR. JAMES O'CONNOR

Is it by paying this starvation wage of 11s. that the Post Office makes its annual profit of four millions sterling?

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

I do not think we make our profit in that way. This is not a full-time postman; he only works two or three hours daily.

MR. JAMES O'CONNOR

Could the right hon. Gentleman walk sixteen Irish miles in two or three hours? Is he aware that this unfortunate man, with his 11s. a week, has a wife and seven children to maintain?

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

The man is paid the rate of wage current in the district. I am afraid I cannot go beyond that.