HC Deb 02 May 1950 vol 474 cc189-90W
Mr. Remnant

asked the Postmaster-General what advantage there is to the sub-postmasters in certain experimental areas where the 9.0 to 10.30 a.m. Sunday telegram work is taken over by Crown offices; whether the sub-postmasters have to remain in attendance during that time; what are the consequential pay arrangements; and whether he will relieve sub-postmasters of all Sunday work unless notification is sent to them the previous day.

Mr. Ness Edwards

The advantage is that the sub-postmaster is relieved of the responsibility for the delivery of telegrams. The arrangement, which has been agreed with the Federation of Sub-Postmasters, includes an understanding that sub-postmasters will co-operate and provide for delivery in the very exceptional cases where this cannot be made from the Crown Office, e.g., owing to, very bad road conditions. Every endeavour would be made to give advance notice of such a call so far as circumstances permitted. Sub-postmasters whose offices are included in the experiment do not receive the normal payment of £9 per annum for regular Sunday attendance, but would receive payment for any attendance actually given.