§ 31. Mr. GOLDSTONEasked what is the maximum amount which could be earned by a sorting clerk or telegraphist in London at the maximum of 65s. who had performed sixty hours in a single week; whether it is possible for a man employed in a Class V. provincial office to earn more than £3 for the same number of hours; and what is the total number of men who have earned £11 in a single week, and the actual number of hours 1802 such men have performed to earn this sum?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEA male telegraphist in London at the maximum of his scale I and in receipt of technical and language allowances of 3s. and 2s. 6d., respectively, would receive £4 14s. 6d. for sixty hours' work on week-days in a single week. A male sorting clerk and telegraphist at a Class V. office in the provinces in receipt of the maximum wages, plus technical allowance, would receive £3 0s. 6d. for the same number of hours. I regret that no information is available which would enable me to state the total number of men who have earned as much as £11 in a single week, but such cases are few in number, though six are known to have occurred in one week in last August, entailing very long hours indeed. The actual number of hours worked in order to earn as much as £11 in a week would vary with the pay of the officer concerned.
§ Mr. GOLDSTONEWhat is the amount a man may receive, apart from technical special allowances, which are exceptional?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI should have to calculate that. If the hon. Member puts a question on the Paper I will give him the information.
§ Mr. GOLDSTONEHas the right hon. Gentleman observed that the question refers to the general clerk and not to the special, whose figures he has quoted?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEA great number of people are in receipt of this allowance. My answer was quite as general as if had answered the hon. Member's supplementary question.