§ Mr. GRETTONasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that recent changes have resulted in the reduction of the maximum wages of postmen in the Oakham postal district from 24s. to 23s. per week; and whether he will say if the Report of the recent inquiry into the pay and conditions of the postal service contained any recommendation for reduction in the scale of wages?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThere has been no reduction in the maximum of 24s. for existing postmen. The recommendations of the Select Committee on Post Office Servants would, on the basis of the volume of work and cost of living at Oakham have involved new entrants there being included in a class with maximum of 21s., but in the circumstances explained in the Parliamentary Paper "Post Office (Changes in Wages, etc.)" issued in July, 1908, they have been exceptionally placed in a class with maximum of 23s.