HC Deb 12 April 1921 vol 140 cc909-10
31. Mr. GILBERT

asked the Postmaster-General the number of women employés engaged in the telephone department of the Post Office; what are the conditions of service, and if any training has to be served also; and what are the scales of pay given from beginning to maximum, and if same includes any war bonus?

Mr. PEASE

About 15,500 women are permanently employed on full-time duties in telephone exchanges, and about 1,700 on clerical work in connection with the telephone service. A comparatively small number of part-time and temporary women are also employed. The conditions of service of the full-time permanent staff are those of established civil servants generally; before appointment to the operative staff girls are engaged as learners for training, for a period not exceeding three months. The telephonists' scales of pay, in London and the Provinces, rise by annual increments from minima of from 14s. to 18s. a week plus bonus, to maxima of from 29s. to 36s., plus bonus—at the present rate of bonus the total remuneration varies from a minimum of 37s. 2d. to a maximum of 94s. 7d.

Sir J. D. REES

May I ask why all these women are old women and deaf to the caller on the telephone?

Mr. PEASE

I am sorry to hear that my hon. Friend's experience is so unfortunate.