§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the case of a number of telegraphists over the age of twenty-one who were transferred from provincial offices to the Central Telegraph Office during 1912 without additional remuneration; whether he has considered the claim for increased salary in consequence of the extra cost of living in London; and whether, in view of the fact that the case has recently been submitted to the Select 1511W Committee on Post Office Wages, he can give an assurance that the Select Committee will consider the application of the Hobhouse Committee's age-pay recommendations in this case?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI am aware of the case to which the hon. Member refers. The pay of these officers on transfer to the Central Telegraph Office was fixed in ordinary course in accordance with the regulations laid down by the Treasury. The conditions of transfer were made perfectly clear to intending applicants, and I see no reason for asking the Treasury to afford them special treatment. I have no control over the procedure of the Select Committee, and cannot give the assurance suggested in the question.