§ 51. Mr. Viantasked the Postmaster-General the reasons why, in the engineering departments of London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol, and Leeds, overtime to the extent of 1,119,503 hours has been worked during the six months ended 30th September, 1937, an increase of 4.7 per cent. as compared with 1936; that this number of hours on the basis of 48 hours per week is the equivalent of six months' employment for approximately 890 men; and will he give the average wage per week, inclusive of overtime, received by these men during the six months ended 30th September, 1937?
§ Major TryonThe overtime was due to the rapid development of the telephone service and to the fact that it is not at 848 present practicable to obtain an adequate supply of skilled staff. The estimated average weekly wages, including overtime, of the workmen employed in the districts referred to were as follow:
s. d. London … … 72 10 Glasgow … … 64 0½ Edinburgh … … 64 0 Manchester … … 68 6½ Bristol … … 64 8½ Leeds … … 68 9