§ Mr. BOWERMANalso asked whether the postmen employed in the Eastern, Central, and other district offices in London perform approximately 50 per cent. of their work indoors, on sorting and other indoor duties?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe answer to the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative, taking the average of the whole of the London district offices.
§ Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked how many auxiliary postmen are employed at Class V. provincial offices; and whether the increase of ¼d. an hour granted to these men will only average 7½d. per week and not 1s.?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe approximate number of auxiliary postmen and post-women employed at Class V. provincial offices is 10,910, and the increase of ¼d. an hour granted to these officers will, on the basis of an estimated average weekly attendance of twenty-four and a-half hours, amount to slightly more than 6d. a week. The position will, however, be altered by the operation of the minimum wage concession, which I announced when introducing the Post Office Estimates.