§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Postmaster General if recently a circular has been sent out by his Department intimating that the Government have decided that. ccnscientious objectors awarded work of national importance, and allowed to remain on their Post Office duties, should. on and from the 1st January, 1918, be paid at the rate allowed a temporary substitute; if he is aware that in some cases this instruction has entailed a reduction of one-half of the pay of permanent Post Office servants; by what authority this instruction has been issued; if the reduction of pay represents a saving to the Post Office; and will he reconsider the whole matter?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHThe circular merely notified to the staff of the Post. Office a Government decision affecting the whole Civil Service. I am aware that the reduction of pay is in some eases substantial, and there is of course a corresponding saving in Post Office expenditure. The last part of the question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.