§ 42. Mr. BARNESasked the Postmaster-General the average rate of remuneration per pound sterling worth of national health insurance and unemployed stamps sold at scale-payment sub-post offices, payment to be stated in terms of cash; what are the average hours of scale-payment sub-postmistresses and sub-masters; what are they allowed opposite rent, light, fixtures, coal, and insurance of post office premises; are any of them paid pensions; and, if so, at what age?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Hobhouse)With regard to the rate of remuneration for national insurance work, I regret that I am not yet in a position to give the hon. Member the information he requires. I will communicate with him when the information is available. Scale-payment sub-offices are generally open to the public for about twelve hours, but at small offices often not for more than eight hours. The scale payment covers remuneration for all necessary accomodation, staff, etc., for Post Office work, and no particular portion of the remuneration is set against rent, light, fixtures, coal, or insurance. Scale-payment sub-postmasters are not established officers, and are therefor not eligible for pensions on retirement. There are, however, a few cases of scale-payment sub-postmasters who held Civil Service certificates granted many years ago, and who may be eligible for pensions on their retirement at the age of sixty, or earlier if their superannuation is due to ill-health.