HC Deb 28 January 1918 vol 101 cc1294-5
38. Mr. WATT

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is by his instructions that postal servants in Glasgow who have been exempted from military service on the ground of conscientious objection and who are performing work of national importance in the Post Office are suffering a reduction of wages to the rate paid to temporary assistants, which is equal to a reduction of 20s. 6d. a week from wages already low; whether he is aware that these men only took advantage of a right given them in an Act of Parliament; and whether he will alter this instruction at an early date?

The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Illingworth)

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member for Blackburn on the 16th instant.

Mr. WATT

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that his Department has made a breach of contract in regard to these servants? Are you to make their contracts scraps of paper?