87. Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Holt Committee recommended in the case of ex-military telegraphists that, after three years' established service and upon passing the efficiency bar test, they should receive the pay appropriate to the sixth point in the scale above the age pay for twenty-one; whether he is aware that his Department has issued instructions that these men must remain at this point on the scale for a number of years, thereby vitiating the spirit of the recommendations of that Committee; whether he is aware that no intimation was given to the ex-military telegraphists to prepare for this efficiency bar test, as is done in the case of the civil telegraphists, with the result that many of them have been denied the benefit of increased pay for some months; and whether he will see that the pledge given to this House that he would interpret the recommendations in a generous spirit be fulfilled?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEAfter considering the recommendation of the Holt Committee in consultation with the Treasury it was decided that ex-military telegraphists whose pay was specially raised to the sixth point on the scale above the age pay for twenty-one should mark time at that point until they would have been entitled to an increase if they had proceeded by the normal increments of the scale. The general notification to the staff at the time the recommendations of the Committee were adopted made it clear under what conditions the benefit of the increased pay would be given.
Mr. TYSON WILSONDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider it fair that when these men reach the point stated in the question they should have to wait three years before they get another increment?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe same remark applies to this as to the last question. It can be brought up before the Advisory Committee.