§ Mr. COOPERasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that post- 2670W men are being employed at the Walsall post office on duties proper to sorting-clerks and telegraphists; that the surveyor has stated in a reply to a memorial that this was done to avoid overtime; and whether he will direct that the postmen so employed shall be paid the scales of wages proper to sorting-clerks and telegraphists?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIt is the practice to provide for the work of absent sorting-clerks and telegraphists by the employment, where such are available, of established leave substitutes. When such are not available, and circumstances admit of it—i.e., without undue pressure on the staff, the work is performed on overtime, but if there would be undue pressure, or the absence is likely to be of any length, it is thought better to make use of postmen rather than to have recourse to casual labour. Postmen so employed are paid the pay of a sorting-clerk and telegraphist at one step above the minimum of the scale, or his own wages, whichever is greater. No departure from these rules was made in the case of Walsall.