HC Deb 25 April 1951 vol 487 cc367-8
29. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Postmaster-General what is the average rate of increase of the level of salaries and wages in the Post Office above the level existing before the war.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Eighty per cent.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that on 4th April he gave the figure as 180 per cent. and that although his public relations officer outside sought to correct that figure he has not corrected the figure the right hon. Gentleman gave?

Mr. Ness Edwards

The hon. Gentleman is very ill-informed on the matter. On 9th April there was a Question on the Order Paper and the answer on the 10th made this quite clear.

Mr. H. Wallace

Can my right hon. Friend say whether that average is inflated by reason of the adjustment of wages following transfer to more valuable work in upper grades?

Mr. Ness Edwards

This represents exactly what it says. It says that there has been an 80 per cent. increase in the rates of wages.