77. Mr. POINTERasked the Postmaster-General if he will explain the statement concerning 25,800 adult male servants who are to receive an average increase of 1s. 6d. a week, estimated to cost £75,000, seeing that an average increase of Is. 6d. a week for the number of persons mentioned amounts to more than £100,000 a year?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe amount of 1s. 6d. a week, which, as I stated in debate, was an approximate estimate, refers to Post Office servants in Great Britain only. The case of persons in Ireland is still under consideration.
§ 78. Lord NINIAN CRICHTON-STUARTasked the Postmaster-General if the outdoor postmen at Llandyssul, Cardiganshire, are in Class 4 with a maximum weekly wage of 23s.; whether the outdoor postmen at Lampeter are in Class 5 with a maximum weekly wage of 21s.; and whether, in view of the much larger population of Lampeter as compared with Llandyssul, and owing to the higher cost of living in the former town, he will see his way to place the outdoor postmen of Lampeter in the same favourable position as those at Llandyssul?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe classification of the offices mentioned is correctly stated, but the maximum wages of the postmen are 31s. and 29s. a week, respectively. The question whether a higher classification is warranted for the outdoor force at Lampeter sub-office will be considered in connection with the general inquiry which is being taken in hand in accordance with the recommendations of the Select Committee, but it may be some considerable time before the matter can be decided.