Mr. T. F. RICHARDSasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there are 11 mail drivers in Belfast employed as follows: Two men work 93 hours each for 21s. 6d., 4 men work 86, 84½, 84, and 79¾ hours for 21s. 6d., 4 other men work 86½, 76½, 61½, and 57 hours for 20s. each, and 1 man works 19 hours for 12s.; whether he is aware that these men's uniform consists of coat, vest, and cap only, whereas the ordinary postmen receive two full suits, overcoat, waterproof cape, and boots per year; whether he is aware that recent inquiry in Belfast respecting this matter consisted in calling the contractor's foreman and accepting his statement, without approaching the persons employed in any way; whether he is aware that on 20th July he informed the House that the hours were 60 and the wages 21s. 6d. and 2289 uniform; and whether he will take the necessary steps to enforce that statement, and add to the uniform trousers, boots, top-coat, and waterproof cape, and thus make the uniform complete?
§ Mr. BUXTONI am having inquiry made in the matter.