§ Mr. CLYNESasked the Postmaster-General the average wage paid to telephonists in Glasgow other than those transferred from the National Telephone Company who have seven or more than seven years' service; the average wage paid to telephonists in Glasgow other than those transferred from the National Telephone Company who have five but not more than seven years' service; and the average wage paid to telephonists in Glasgow other than those transferred from the National Telephone Company who have three and a half but not more than five years' service?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe average pay of the telephonists employed within the Glasgow town area (other than those transferred from the National Telephone Company) is estimated at 25s. 1d. a week for the officers included in the first group, 1055W 21s. 10d. a week for the second group, and 19s. 5d. a week for the third group.
§ Mr. CLYNESasked the Postmaster-General the average wage paid by the Department to telephonists in Glasgow who were transferred from the National Telephone Company, and who have seven years or more combined National Telephone Company and General Post Office service; the average wage paid by the Department to telephonists in Glasgow who were transferred from the National Telephone Company, and who have five years but not more than seven years combined National Telephone Company and General Post Office service; and the average wage paid by the Department to telephonists in Glasgow who were transferred from the National Telephone Company, and who have three and a half years but not more than five years combined National Telephone Company and General Post Office service?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe average pay of the telephonists in Glasgow transferred from the National Telephone Company included in the first and second groups referred to in the hon. Member's question is 19s. a week; the average for the third group is estimated at 18s. 4d. a week.
§ Mr. JOWETTasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there are ex-policemen with pensions, amounting in some cases to 22s. per week, employed in his service as night operators in the telephone department, for which a commencing wage of only £1 a week is paid; and whether, having regard to the fact that such appointments must exclude some men who are not in receipt of other income from employment as night operators and also depress the wages of those night operators who are solely dependent on their earnings, he will give preference, at a living wage, to those who require work for their own maintenance and the maintenance of their families, if they have any?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIt has been the practice of the Post Office to select for employment as night operators in London ex-soldiers and ex-sailors where such persons are available, but no preference is given to pensioners. I am informed that there are no pensioned policemen employd as night operators in London. The majority of night operators in the provinces were engaged by the National Telephone Company, and have entered the1056W Post Office service by transfer. I am not in a position to say upon what principle they were selected. The question of the pay of night operators will no doubt come before the Select Committee which is now inquiring into the wages of Post Office servants.