§ 39. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many vacancies for sub-postmasters are unfilled in rural offices; and what steps are being taken to fill these vacancies.
§ Mr. GammansThere are at present 192 vacancies, representing rather less than 1 per cent. of the rural offices in the United Kingdom, and of these 58 are in process of being filled. All the remaining vacancies have been advertised and, in those cases where candidatss are not forthcoming, the practice is to seek the help of local councils and residents, in addition to renewed advertisement and other special steps.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there are some 3,000 postmasters who are getting less than £3 a week? Is it fair to expect people to act as maids of all work for half a dozen Government Departments and social welfare agencies in return for this miserably inadequate remuneration?
§ Mr. GammansAll I can assure the hon. and gallant Member is that the number of vacancies is considerably less than it was a year ago.