§ MR. DU CROS (Hastings)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, during 1907, a number of postmen applied for transfers to various towns; that those transfers were granted, and forms were signed by the men accepting them upon the rates of 501 wages shown therein; that many of these transfers were held over for departmental or other reasons until January and February of this year; that on the transfers being made the men were given rule-books setting out the wages of the offices to which they were transferred; and whether, in these circumstances, he will issue instructions that the circulars of February and July, reducing wages at various offices, shall not apply to those men who obtained sanction for their transfers under the higher rates.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) I have been considering the case of the postmen referred to by the hon. Member and I have arranged for all postmen transferred before 14th February, 1908, to have the choice of old or new scales at the office to which they have been transferred.