53. Sir F. HALLasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that after the termination of hostilities sorters in the London postal service were invited to compete for a number of vacancies for staff appointments in the Post Office sorter class; whether he is aware that, irrespective of age or of whether a man was married and had a family to provide for, the men were all started on a basis of 30s. a week plus bonus; and whether, considering that a Committee has been set up to inquire into the matter of the Lytton entrants, he will extend the terms of reference so as to include the ex-service 1541 men who competed for the appointments in the Post Office?
§ 110. Mr. LINFIELDasked the Postmaster-General whether he will arrange to have the case of ex-service Post Office sorters included in the scope of the Southborough Committee's Inquiry?
§ The POSTMASTER - GENERAL (Sir Laming Worthington - Evans)It is the fact that a number of temporary sorters were appointed to permanent posts as the result of a limited competition held after the close of the War. Their starting pay was fixed at the rates applicable under the Standing Regulations to entrants 21 years of age and over, namely, 30s. in London and 28s. or 27s. in the provinces, plus bonus. The Southborough Committee was set up to deal only with recommendations made by the Lytton Committee, which did not deal with the starting pay of sorters; however, I have the matter under consideration at the present time.
Sir F. HALLWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps at once to get the Government to extend the terms of reference so that these men may be included?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSNo. That is now being considered departmentally.