HC Deb 09 November 1955 vol 545 cc1825-6
9. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Postmaster-General what increases in wages will be given to employees of his Department to meet increased rents and Purchase Tax.

Dr. Hill

The wages of Post Office staff are fixed primarily by reference to current rates of pay in comparable outside employment; the question of increasing wages specially for the reasons the hon. Member has in mind does not therefore arise.

Mr. Hynd

Surely Post Office wages are not always going to follow other wages? As there is a claim before the Postmaster-General at the moment, will not he take into consideration the new difficulties about the cost of living which arise from the new impositions by the Chancellor and, perhaps, for once make an offer of a wage increase?

Dr. Hill

The hon. Gentleman will not expect me to comment upon any outstanding claims, but he will recall that the so-called Tomlin formula, which applies to the Post Office as to the Civil Service generally, has as its main criterion rates of pay in comparable employment in outside industries.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Is there any indication that with the new Bridgeman concept applying to the Post Office there will be a departure from the old practice of the rates of pay of Post Office employees having to follow outside rates?

Dr. Hill

Until the Report of the Royal Commission upon the subject is published, I suggest that we cannot usefully examine that question.

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