§ 63. Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the remarks of a Sunderland magistrate during the hearing of a theft charge against a postman, that his wage of 47s. 2d. per week was inadequate; and whether he has any statement to make?
§ The Postmaster-General (Major Tryon)The postman in question was on a scale of pay rising to 60s. 6d. a week. His wage would have been 50s., that is 3s. more than the amount stated, if an increment had not been stopped on account of repeated unpunctuality. According to the statement made in court by his solicitor, he had recently gone in for gambling at dog racing tracks and the remarks subsequently made by the magistrate about his wages being inadequate have been brought to my notice. The wage scales of postmen generally are based upon awards of the Industrial Court, and they are at present under the consideration of the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal.