§ 76. Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any of the revenue derived from increased postal and telephone charges will be made available for improving the wage rates of the lower-paid employés of the Post Office?
§ Sir J. SimonThe question of granting some increase in the wage rates of the lower-paid grades of civil servants, including employés of the Post Office, is now under discussion with the staff side of the National Whitley Council.
§ Mr. MorrisonWill the right hon. Gentleman do what he can to facilitate a decision in this matter, as hundreds of the lower-paid workers such as linemen, porters and night telephonists, are living nearly on the poverty line? Many of them are ex-service men.
§ Sir J. SimonThe hon. Gentleman will appreciate that discussion is still going on.
§ 79. Mr. Ammonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the protest from the Union of Post Office Workers against the further increase in railway fares as adding an increase to the cost of living of thousands of lowly-paid Government servants; and whether, to meet such increase, he will increase wages to safeguard the workers' standard of life as the interests of railway shareholders are protected?
§ Sir J. SimonI have considered this with other representations made to me on the question of cost-of-living increases for civil servants. A claim from the staff side of the National Whitley Council on behalf of the lower-paid grades of civil servants is now under discussion with the official side of the council.