§ 71. Mr. Viantasked the Postmaster-General whether he is satisfied with a recruitment of 37 in the staff of the Money Order Department during 1936, in view of the overtime worked during the year, amounting to approximately one week for each member of a staff of 2,753?
§ Major TryonTwo hundred and ninety-four recruits were appointed in the Money Order Department in 1936. The figure of 37 represents the net increase of staff after allowing for wastage. I am satisfied that the recruitment to the Money Order Department was as satisfactory as possible having regard to the abnormal conditions by which Government Departments as a whole were affected.
§ 72. Mr. Viantasked the Postmaster-General whether he will inform those of his staff who are deputed by him to receive deputations in respect to claims for increased wages that it is not the practice of his Department to take into consideration payment for overtime in the computation of wages?
§ Major TryonI do not think that any special instruction is needed. The officers concerned are already aware of the principle stated in my reply of the 1st instant.
§ Mr. ViantHas the right hon. Gentleman not acquainted himself with the reply given to a deputation that he received in November last from the Post Office Engineering Department in which 39 the question of overtime was referred to as a matter that should be taken into consideration?
§ Major TryonI will send the hon. Member a copy of the reply that I gave him on that point some little time ago.