§ 78. Mr. Platts-Millsasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the unrest amongst the men who carry out the technical work of installing, maintaining and servicing the nation's telegraph and telephone systems, owing to the absence of a satisfactory reply to the wages application submitted by the Post Office Engineering Union some seven months ago; and whether he will make a statement.
§ 82. Mr. Bowerasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the dissatisfaction prevailing among members of the Post Office Engineering Union owing to the long delay in dealing with their claim for increased wages; and when he anticipates that a new wage agreement will be arrived at.
§ 83. Mr. E. Fletcherasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that his offer of 12th November in respect of the wage claims put forward by the engineering and supplies department of the Post Office has led to much dissatisfaction, and would in many cases leave the wages of skilled post office workers below the minimum wages of non-skilled employees in other Government engineering industrial establishments; and whether he will reconsider this offer.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingI am aware that there is dissatisfaction, but while discussions are in progress between my Department and the Union I prefer not to make a statement.
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§ Mr. Wardasked the Postmaster-General how many skilled men have left the Post Office engineering department and stores grade, respectively, during the year ended March, 1948.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingAbout 2,300 skilled men in the engineering department and 250 in the supplies department left the service during this period. The figures refer to rank-and-file grades and include retirements, resignations and dismissals.