§ 53. Colonel Sir Charles MacAndrewasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the amounts of the salaries paid to those in charge of sub-post offices are based on the average turnover of three separate weeks selected by the postmaster of the area; and, as the selected weeks may in no way represent the annual weekly average of the business done, will he take steps to have these salaries fixed on some other basis?
§ The Postmaster-General (Major Tryon)Sub-postmasters are remunerated on the basis of a somewhat elaborate scale of unit valuations for the various types of work, which formed the subject of an agreement with the National Federation of sub-postmasters in 1935. I will send the hon. Member particulars of the unit scale from which he will see that the remuneration is not based on the average turnover of three separate weeks but is, in the main, assessed on the actual business transacted for a full year. The system works satsfactorily in practice, and I am not aware of any grounds which would justify the introduction of another method of payment.
§ Sir C. MacAndrewCan my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether, in the case of an increase of salary, it is also based on the whole year, and not on separate weeks?
§ Major TryonPerhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will put that question upon the Paper.