HC Deb 07 August 1912 vol 41 cc3199-200W
Mr. SNOWDEN

asked the Postmaster-General whether the women shorthand typists and superintending officers transferred from the National Telephone Company to the London telephone service were paid at higher rates by the company than those current in the Department; whether transferred officers are still receiving higher pay than officers on the Department scales; and, if so, whether he proposes to take steps to bring the pay of the Department's officers to a level with the pay formerly given by the company and still given by the Department to transferred officers?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

Some of the women shorthand typists and superintending officers transferred from the National Telephone Company to the London telephone service were paid at higher rates by the company than those current in the Post Office. The pay of the transferred staff has not been reduced and some officers are consequently in receipt of higher pay than their colleagues who were already in the Post Office service. The scale for Government typists in London is a common one fixed by the Treasury for all Government offices, and it is not proposed to increase the pay of those typists who were already in the Post Office service.

Mr. FFRENCH

asked the Postmaster-General is he aware that some part of the telephone between Wexford and Dublin is out of order every day, to the annoyance of the subscribers; and if he can give any hope that communications will be facilitated immediately?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I am aware that the trunk line between Wexford and Dublin has been interrupted on several occasions recently. Steps are being taken to prevent a recurrence of these difficulties.

Viscount WOLMER

asked the Postmaster-General how many operators are employed at the North Telephone Exchange; and what hours they work?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

At the North Exchange there are seventy-two female telephonists, whose normal hours of work are forty-eight a week, inclusive of meal reliefs, and nine male night operators, who are at present working seventy-two hours a week. The attendance of these night operators will be brought down to fifty-four hours a week as soon as additional operators are trained.