§ 65. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Postmaster-General whether he will now give a decision regarding the application from the Southampton Branch of the Controlling Officers asking that the Southampton office should be granted similar higher grade appointments as at other offices where the unit value of work is less than at Southampton; whether, if the decision is given in favour, he will, on account of the delay, make it retrospective; and if he is aware that similar superior appointments as those asked for at Southampton were authorised at Cardiff in 1908, where the unit value of work was 1.920, as regards the Southampton unit, which is 2.058?
§ Mr. J. PEASEIt will not be practicable during the continuance of the War to undertake any revision of the grading of higher appointments in provincial post offices. The allocation of such appointments at Cardiff in 1908 was based on then existing conditions. The volume of work at Cardiff at that time was greater than at Southampton, but that feature would not of itself determine the number and grading of supervising posts.