§ Mr. KETTLEasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that so far back as 1903 the Postmaster-General of the day admitted that the rate of allowance paid to travelling clerks was inadequate, and announced that he was seeking the sanction of the Treasury for an increase, but that this increase has not yet been made, he will make provision to allow these officers remuneration proportioned to their status and duties?
The hon. Member further asked the Postmaster General whether the daily rates for subsistence paid to travelling officers in the surveyors' branch of the Post Office are for surveyors 20s., superintending engineers 17s. 6d., assistant surveyors 15s., assitant superintending engineers 15s., engineers 12s., and travelling clerks 10s.; and, if so, will he say why travelling clerks, who carry as large quantities of official papers and work in hotels on precisely the same conditions as surveyors and assistant surveyors, receive not any less than these officers but even 150W less than the engineers of the classes named, who are not charged with the transport of any official papers?
§ Mr. SYDNEY BUXTONI will answer these questions together. The rates of subsistence allowance paid to travelling officers in the Post Office are as stated. It is not the case that travelling clerks work under precisely the same conditions as surveyors and assistant surveyors; but the question of the proper allowance to such clerks is under consideration. Subsistence allowance is not remuneration but is paid solely to defray necessary additional expenses occasioned by absence from head quarters. The carriage of official papers has no bearing on the matter.