§ 38. Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWNasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the extension of telephones in rural areas, he will consider the raising of fees paid to village postmasters; and whether, on account of the increase of work, he will have their salaries on telephone account revised more frequently than every three years?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe remuneration of sub-postmasters for telephone exchange working is based on an agreement with the Sub-Postmasters' Federation. The principle of triennial revision applies to the remuneration of sub-postmasters as a whole; but interim revisions are granted where the growth of work is abnormal. I do not think that these arrangements stand in need of modification at present.
Brigadier-General-BROWNIf the right hon. Gentleman wishes postmasters to give adequate service, how is it possible for them to afford to pay assistants, which they have to, on the allowance that they get at present?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI have said that the whole question of their remuneration is governed by an existing agreement, and that the remuneration is revised triennially.