61. Mr. POINTERasked the Postmaster General if he is aware that for the first six months of the working of the National Insurance Act sub-postmasters were required to furnish the number of daily transactions which took place in the sale of health and unemployment insurance stamps; and, if so, what purpose is to be served by the order just issued for the daily return of both the number of transactions and the value of stamps issued by each office?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)It is the fact that for the first six months sub-postmasters furnished the daily number of transactions in connection with the sale of insurance stamps as a basis for fixing the rate of remuneration. The deputation of the Federation of Sub-Postmasters which I received last week challenged the result of the Post Office calculation, and in fairness to sub-postmasters I considered it desirable, before arriving at a decision in the matter, to have a fresh Return prepared applicable to sub-offices only. A new Return will have the advantage of being based on the most recent figures of business, and of including the recently added denominations of insurance stamps.
Mr. POINTERCan the right hon. Gentleman give any indication when this question is likely to be settled with regard to remuneration?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI hope the figures will be available very soon.