§ Mr. JOWETTasked the Postmaster-General what was the number of established sorting clerks and telegraphists and of salaried assistants at each of the 36 offices reduced from head to sub-offices during the last two years prior to the reduction; and what are the numbers of each class at each office at the present time?
§ Mr. BUXTONThe particulars asked for are as follows:—
1526W
Office. Prior to reduction. At present time. Sorting Clerks and Telegraphists. Assistants. Sorting Clerks and Telegraphists. Assistants. (provisional). England & Wales. Chulmleigh 2 — 1 1 Eye 3 1 3 — Howden 2 — — 2 Ilminster 4 — 1 3 Ivybridge 3 1 2 2 Kirkby Stephen 2 1 2 1 Lyme Regis 3 2 3 2 Mountain Ash 4 — 3 1 Narberth 3 — 3 — Pershore 3 — 1 2 Plympton 2 1 2 1 Rhayader 2 1 2 1 Torrington 2 — — 3 Ireland. Antrim 2 — 2 — Arklow 1 3 1 3 Ballymoney 4 — 3 1 Buttevant 3 — 3 1 Gashel 3 — 2 1 Dungarvan 3 — 3 — Edgeworthstown 3 — 2 1 Limavady 3 — 2 1 Listowel 3 — 3 — Moy 1 I — 2 Templemore 4 1 4 1 Thomastown 1 2 — 3 Scotland. Ayton 2 1 2 — *Fordoun — 2 — — Golspie 2 — 2 2 Insch 2 — 2 1 Lasswade 2 1 2 — Mauchline 2 1 2 1 Midcalder 2 — 1 1 Newburgh 2 — 2 — Penicuik 3 — 3 — Prestonkirk 2 — 2 — South Queensferry 3 — 3 — 88 19 69 38 *The Sub-Postmaster now provides the necessary assistance under the Scale Payment System. In several of the above cases the arrangement as regards the assistants is provisional; and in some cases there will probably be a reduction in their numbers. It may be added that the status of these small head offices has been altered for administrative reasons only.
§ Mr. JOWETTasked whether it is the usual practice to employ salaried sub-office assistants at salaried sub-offices; whether it is intended eventually to substitute the employment of these assistants in the place of established sorting clerks and telegraphists at the 36 offices reduced during the past two years; and whether this will have the effect of reducing the general wage standard of the offices in question?
§ Mr. BUXTONI beg to refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to a question asked by him in this House on 10th May last, the answer was as follows: "For administrative reasons the status of 36 small head offices has been altered during the last two years. It is the intention to avoid introducing unestablished staff at salaried sub-offices except to a small extent in particular cases."