§ Mr. FORSTERasked the Postmaster-General whether he has received an application from the Beckenham branch of the Postmen's Federation asking that Beckenham should be treated as a London district; whether a large portion of Beckenham is already in the London postal area; whether postmen receive higher wages in the London district than in the provincial districts; whether he is aware of the fact that the cost of living in Beckenham is as high as in many parts of London; and whether on these grounds he is prepared to consider the matter favourably?
§ Captain NORTONNo such application has been received from the Beckenham branch of the Postmen's Federation. The Parliamentary Committee were aware of the present line of demarcation between London and the provinces, and based their recommendations as regards the wages of postmen on the assumption that no change would be made in the existing boundary. The scales of pay recommended by them for postmen within the London area are higher than those paid elsewhere. The cost of living in Beckenham is high, and this circumstance was taken into account when the present classification was decided upon, and as a result the postmen were placed in Class II. instead of Class IV., receiving an increase of 1s. a week in their maximum pay. The Postmaster-General regrets that he does not see his way to extend the London area to include Beckenham. In reply to the hon. Baronet, so far as I am aware, we have received no application from Gravesend.