§ Mr. FETHERSTONHAUGHasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that Enniskillen Post Office was, prior to the year 1908, a Class V. office when there were seven classes; why was it reduced to the lowest class since 1908; is he aware 1649W that Enniskillen is a dear town as regards coal, food and rent; and will he consider the reclassification of Enniskillen Post Office, considering especially that, though the salary of the postmaster has been increased, the scales for the indoor staff are now lower than they were twenty years ago, and the salary of the overseer has been reduced and is now £10 less than the maximum salary of the officer having supervising allowance, who in ordinary course might expect to be made overseer.
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI am aware that Enniskillen was in Class V. prior to 1908, and is still in that class under the system of classification for scales of pay of the indoor staff which is at present in force. This classification is in accordance with the standards which were laid down after the inquiry of the Select Committee of 1906–7, and the volume of work is not yet sufficient to justify a higher classification. The cost of living in Enniskillen, as ascertained by the Board of Trade in connection with the revision of 1908, was slightly below the average. The scales of pay of the rank and file of the indoor force are higher than they were twenty years ago, and, although the minimum of the overseer's scale is less than the maximum pay of the sorting clerk and telegraphist in receipt of a supervising allowance, that1650W officer would be entitled to receive starting pay in excess of the minimum if promoted to the overseership. I may add that the whole question of classification is at present under consideration in connection with the recommendations of the recent Select Committee.