§ Mr. DOUGLAS HALLasked why the chief post office at Newport, Isle of Wight, is, for the purpose of the classification of wages of the members of the indoor staff, placed in Class V., although, according to the Hobhouse scale, Newport is only eleven units short of the minimum number requisite for Class IV.; whether many other towns which are fifty and sixty units below the next higher class are nevertheless allowed the benefit of ranking in such higher class; and whether, in view of this fact, he is prepared to place Newport in Class IV.?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELNewport, Isle of Wight, was properly placed in Class V. for the Indoor Force because, as the hon. Member points out, the number of units of work fell short of the minimum requisite for Class IV., and because the cost of living, as ascertained by the Board of Trade, was not sufficiently above the normal to warrant higher classification on that account. Consideration of the cost of living has raised a number of other towns in the position described by the hon. Member to a higher class than their units of work alone would justify. The latest returns taken at Newport did not show a sufficient number of units for Class IV., but I am having fresh returns taken.