§ Colonel Sir IVOR HERBERTasked the Postmaster-General whether five postmen are constantly employed at the Newport (Mon.) Post Office as sorters, whether they work eight hours a day at that work, and whether the sorting done by them is wholly distinct from the walk-sorting usually done by postmen; and whether, seeing that the duty is more arduous and commands a higher scale of pay than that 1222 usually performed by postmen, it is his intention to raise their pay to that received by sorting clerks?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThere have been, since March, 1908, five full eight hour primary sorting duties at Newport (Mon.), performed by postmen, but as these duties are shared among ten men performing them in alternate weeks in groups of five no postman is employed constantly upon them. These duties, while distinct from walk-sorting, are not more difficult, and are such as are assigned partially or entirely to postmen at a number of offices. There would be no justification for raising the pay of these postmen to that received by sorting clerks and telegraphists, who are required to perform more complicated and responsible work. The whole question of the employment of postmen on sorting duties is at present under consideration by a Departmental Committee, whose report I am awaiting.