§ Sir W. DAVISONasked the Postmaster-General what was the average wage paid to telephone operatives by the National Telephone Company and by the Post Office before the War; what is the present wage paid, and for how many hours' work a week; what was the average cost per instrument under the National Telephone Company; what is the present cost per instrument under the Post Office; and what is the present cost per instrument at Hull?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHThe National Telephone Company in 1911 were paying their telephone operators wages varying from 6s. to 20s. a week. At that time Post Office telephonists were paid wages varying from 10s. to 28s.; they are now paid from 14s. to 36s., together with War Bonus on a sliding scale, which for wages under 35s. at present amounts to 155 per cent. on wages. The gross weekly working hours were 50 under the company and 48 under the Post Office; but the actual working hours were, with a few exceptions, identical under both administrations. The hours now worked by the Post Office telephonists are the same as before the War. The average working cost of the National Telephone Company's system in 1911 was £3 14s. 11d. per telephone. The786W corresponding cost for the Post Office system in 1918–19—the last year for which separate accounts for the exchange and trunk services were prepared—was £5 8s 6d. per telephone, including the civil pay of the staff on military service equivalent to 7s. 2d. per telephone. The cost of the Hull system in 1919–20 was £4 2s. 1d. per telephone.