§ Mr. LANSBURYasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the girl clerks employed in post offices by sub-postmasters and mistresses, who were already hard worked, have had many additional duties placed upon them through the working of the National Insurance Act, without receiving any additional remuneration; 1664W would he say whether any arrangements have been, or are being, made to provide for increased assistance or remuneration to sub-postmasters and postmistresses, in view of the considerable increase of work caused by the introduction of this Act; if so, will he stipulate that any such improvement is to be participated in by their girl clerks; and whether for work of such a useful and responsible nature, and demanding the greatest possible accuracy combined with speed and continual mental application, as is required of telegraph and counter clerks in post offices, he will provide that the working hours should, as a rule, be limited to seven per day?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELWith regard to the remuneration of sub-postmasters for National Health Insurance work, I beg to refer the hon. Member to replies given to similar questions on the 11th and and 22nd instant. The pay and conditions of employment of assistants at Scale Payment Sub-Post Offices, as distinguished from Salaried Sub-Offices, which am staffed by officers in the direct employ of the Department, rest with the sub-postmaster. He provides the requisite staff and accommodation for the work of the office in return for an inclusive payment based on the amount of work transacted. Usually the assistants are engaged both on Post Office work and on the private business of sub-postmaster. I am not prepared to take the course suggested in the question.