HC Deb 24 April 1940 vol 360 cc188-9
22 and 23. Mr. Leonard

asked the Postmaster-General (1) how many cases were reported during 1939, where hours of attendances, wages or other conditions appeared to be unsatisfactory in scale payment sub-post offices;

(2) whether he has made inquiry into the present conditions of employment of assistants employed at scale payment sub-post offices; and, if so, what was the result of the inquiry, with special reference to wages, hours and general amenities for work?

The Postmaster-General (Mr. W. S. Morrison)

No central record is kept of complaints of this kind, and no general inquiry has been instituted. The standing rules of the Department provide that the conditions of service of assistants employed on Post Office work at scale payment sub-offices should be not less favourable than those of shop assistants of about the same standing in the service of good employers in the same district. So far as I am aware, these rules are being complied with, but I shall be ready to investigate any cases which the hon. Member may wish to bring to my notice.

Mr. Leonard

Is it not the case that supervision of these sub-post offices is provided for in orders or regulations; and, as regards wages and conditions, why should assistants, performing postal services, have their working conditions entirely determined by relation to shop assistants in general, instead of workers performing similar services in the Post Office?

Mr. Morrison

These assistants are not servants of the Post Office but of the sub-postmasters who employ them to do the work of the post office and also, very often, the work of a shop. The sub-postmaster is obliged to give a return of the conditions of work and duty to the postmaster who has to see that they are no less favourable than the conditions generally prevailing.

Mr. Leonard

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that a recent decision in the High Court made it quite clear that a postmaster himself is an employé of the Post Office? Therefore, can those working under him not be considered as employés of the Post Office?

Mr. Morrison

I should want notice of that question.