Mr. T. WILSONasked the Postmaster-General (1) if he is aware that unrest exists amongst the Post Office engineering draughtsmen owing to the pay they receive; and whether he proposes to take steps to increase their pay to a rate in accordance with the importance of the work they perform; (2) if he is aware that cases of Post Office draughtsmen employed temporarily in other Government Departments whose qualifications have induced the Departments concerned to recommend scales of pay commensurate with their abilities, but which scales could not be approved by the Post Office; and on what grounds these recommendations were vetoed by the Post Office authorities; (3) why the draughtsmen in the Post Office engineering department, most of whom have been at their maximum for many years, are excluded from what is known as the Treasury pool; if he is aware that the draughtsmen in the Post Office are in a blind alley occupation, largely owing to the fact that although they are a part of the engineering department they are subject to clerical supervision; and if any steps are being taken to give openings to the men concerned?
615W
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHThe present rates of pay of engineering draughtsmen are based on a recommendation by the Select Parliamentary Committee, which reported in 1913. In addition the staff receive war bonus at the rates payable to permanent Civil servants generally. An application for improved scales of pay has been received, and is under consideration. I am not aware of any case of the kind referred to in Question 98, but if the hon. Member will supply particulars I will make inquiry. The question of including some of these men in the Treasury pool has been considered, but I understand that the pool is not intended to include technical officers of this class. Men who enter the Post Office service as unestablished draughtsmen have a prospect of being placed on the establishment, and of rising to posts as draughtsmen, first class. I regret that I am unable to offer any other direct outlet of advancement.