HC Deb 27 June 1921 vol 143 cc1786-7
75. Major BIRCHALL

asked the Postmaster-General how many boys of the age of 14–15 are employed by his Department at a wage, including bonus, of 21s. 3d. a week and upwards; and why these boys are paid more than twice as much as the boys employed by the District Messenger Service?

The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Pike Pease)

Boy messengers under 15 years of age employed within the London postal area are paid wages of 8s. a week, which, with the current bonus addition, amount to 21s. 3d. a week. On 1st September the wages, by the operation of the sliding scale bonus, will be reduced to about 18s. a week. The total number of such boys employed on the 31st March last, the latest date for which statistics are available, was 692. I have no definite information regarding the remuneration of boys employed by the District Messenger Service.

Mr. J. JONES

Will the hon. Gentleman inform us how it is possible for a working-class family to keep a boy on the wages paid by the District Messenger Service?

Mr. PEASE

The Post Office wage will be 18s. for a boy under 15 years of age.

Colonel ASHLEY

Does the Post Office propose seriously to pay boys under 15 a wage of 18s. a week after the beginning of September?

Mr. PEASE

In reference to the comparison made, I have not the present exact figures of the District Messenger Service. For last July the wages paid were 12s. and 12s. 6d. per week. Of course, these boys get tips, but the Post Office boys do not.

Mr. JONES

Would hon. Members keep their own boys on the money offered?

Mr. SPEAKER

That does not arise out of the question.

Mr. JONES

The boys of hon. Members get more in pocket money than the wages we can get for our children.