§ Mr. BOWERMANasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that six branch offices in the northwestern district have a smaller staff than is employed at Upper Baker-street, he will state why the conversion of this office to a branch office is not considered to be warranted; also if he will state the maximum wages paid to the assistants at Upper Baker-street and to the counter clerks and telegraphists at the branch offices in the same district?
§ Mr. SYDNEY BUXTONThe fact that there are six branch offices in the North 507W Western District at which a smaller staff is employed than at Upper Baker-street is not considered in present circumstances a sufficient reason for making the latter office a branch office. The branch offices referred to were established before the recommendation of the recent Select Committee as regards salaried sub-offices in London was promulgated. The maxima of the assistants at Upper Baker-street and of the counter clerks and telegraphists at branch offices are practically the same since, under the recommendations of the Committee which I have adopted, full time assistants will in the natural course of events become established counter clerks after five years' service.