§ Mr. WILESasked the Postmaster-General if he is now prepared to make his promised announcement with reference to increased remuneration for the staff employed in travelling post offices, having regard to the difficulty which still exists in these men making their weekly budget balance owing to the rise in the cost of living?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHI am still in correspondence with the Treasury on this subject.
§ Mr. WILESasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that girl probationers in the Central Telegraph Office are only paid at the rate of 3d. per hour for five hours' work on Sundays; and, if so, will he at once insist on adequate remuneration being paid for this Sunday labour and thus stop the discontent which this payment is causing?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHThis question depends upon the decision on a claim which is now before the Conciliation and Arbitration Board for Government Employés. I hope to be able to make an announcement shortly.
Mr. NUGENTasked the Postmaster-General whether all the employés on the mail boats between Kingstown and Holy-head are in receipt of special war-risk allowances; whether this special allowance is paid to Post Office officials; and, if not, will it now be paid to them and be made retrospective as from the date on which it was first paid to other employés on these boats?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHSpecial provision is already made by means of the Injuries in War (Compensation) Act, 467W 1915, in respect of the war risks incurred by Post Office servants employed on the Irish mail boats. This Act provides for a pension to widows in the event of death, and a disablement pension in the event of personal injury arising out of warlike operations, in addition to the ordinary benefits arising out of the Superannuation Acts; and I do not consider further provision in the form of a risk allowance to be called for.