§ 85. Mr. DEVLINasked the Postmaster-General whether the wages paid to adult night messengers in Belfast is only 24s. a week; that some of these public servants have from twenty to thirty years' service; that others have twenty years' service to look forward to without any increase on this wage; and that discontent exists amongst the adult night messengers at Belfast in consequence of their claim to an increase of wages having been passed over by the Holt Committee on the ground that they were a redundant class, although vacancies in this class are recruited from the postman class at wages of 37s. a week; and, if so, whether, in view of the hours worked by these messengers, the nature of their work, and the increased cost of living, he will take their case into consideration with a view to granting them a substantial increase in their present rate of wages?
§ Captain NORTONThe Holt Committee specifically stated that they did not recommend any alteration in the pay of the class of adult night messengers, and my right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot undertake to reopen the question on behalf of the men employed at Belfast.
§ 87. Mr. HARRY LAWSONasked the number of Post Office servants in the London postal area whose rate of wages fall beneath the 22s. minimum; what classes they belong to; and what proportion of the new Grant for raising wages to that standard will accrue to the London district?
§ Captain NORTONThere are no male Post Office servants of twenty-three years of age or over in the London postal area whose wages are below the 22s. rate, except from time to time a few night telephonists, who receive 20s. a week during their short period of training, rising to 25s. a week on completion of the training, that is, usually, in about three weeks. The proportion of the new Grant (applicable to officers of twenty-three years of age or over) that will accrue to London is therefore inappreciable.