§ 75. Mr. HARMSWORTHasked the Postmaster-General whether he will give figures showing the number and cost of the engineering department of the General Post Office in 1913–14 and 1925–26, respectively?
§ Viscount WOLMERThe staff in 1913–14 numbered 23,500 and cost approximately £2,100,000; for 1925–26 the staff numbers about 33,600 and is expected to cost rather more than £6,400,000.
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHCan the Noble Lord give any reason, seeing that the cost is increasing, why it is increasing?
§ Viscount WOLMERThe increase of cost is due to the very large increase in wages, and also to the cost-of-living bonus.