HC Deb 30 June 1913 vol 54 cc1489-90
61. Mr. CHARLES DUNCAN

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the number of promotions of assistant clerks to the class next above them in those departrnents of the Post Office where no second division clerks are employed during the last seven years, and the departments in which the promoted men had served as assistant clerks?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

The figures are: Secretary's office, 2; Stores Department, 10 (including 5 officers who have not yet obtained the necessary Civil Service certificates). In each case the officer concerned was promoted in his own department. Two assistant clerks in the Engineer-in-Chief's office, and four in the Superintending Engineers' offices, have been offered promotion to third class clerkships in the Superintending Engineers' offices, but have declined or up to the present have not accepted promotion.

62. Mr. CRUMLEY

asked the Postmaster-General why the Enniskillen Post Office has been reduced in classification; if he is aware that, according to the latest Board of Trade Return, Enniskillen is the fourth dearest town in Ireland with respect to food and coal, that rents in Enniskillen are abnormally high, and that the Secretary to the Post Office stated before the present Parliamentary Committee that the scales of pay are based upon the units of work and cost of living; whether he is aware that the work disposed of at the Enniskillen Post Office has increased since 1908, and new duties involving additional responsibility have been thrown upon the staff; whether, seeing that the postmaster's salary has been increased within recent years from £220 to £270 annually owing to the increase of work at Enniskillen, he will explain why the scales arranged for the indoor officials under him are less than they were twenty years ago; and whether he will have full inquiry made into all the matters complained of, with a view to reclassification of the office if the complaints are well founded?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

The reduction in classification at Enniskillen was made five years ago on principles settled after an inquiry by a Select Committee or Parliament. The increase in work which has since taken place at Enniskillen has not been sufficient to warrant a higher classification on the basis then approved, but, as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, the whole question of scales of pay for Post Office servants is now under the consideration of another Select Committee.