§ Mr. Viantasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the presence of thousands of men in the employ of his Department in the London area whose wages are as low as 51s. and55s. per week, and that these men are engaged on split duties which necessitate their making journeys to and from their homes more than once each day; that the fares already mean a considerable burden which will be intensified by the increase of 10 per cent., and will he give early consideration as to ways and means whereby such hardship shall be mitigated?
730W
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonThe hon. Member apparently refers to postmen. There are no split duties in the central, or head district, areas of London, but a considerable number of postmen's duties in the outer, or sub-district, areas necessarily involve two separate attendances daily. These conditions were taken into account when the present wages were fixed, little more than a year ago, by arbitration in the case of the permanent postmen and by agreement with the staff association in the case of the temporary staff. The only subsequent change in circumstances has been the rise in the cost of living since the commencement of the war. This, however, is a question which affects the Civil Service as a whole and is one which I understand by right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has at present under consideration.