§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Postmaster-General (1) what is the estimated total salary bill for staff currently being recruited for the Post Office catering service; and how this figure compares with the total wages and salaries paid hitherto by Post Office staff refreshment clubs;
(2) what is the envisaged increase in the number of civil servants arising from the establishment of the Post Office catering service.
§ Mr. MasonAt present some 3,300 staff are employed in Refreshment Clubs in the Post Office. Some of these have become civil servants. The position is due for review shortly, and it will then be decided how far it is appropriate to carry the system of direct employment of catering staff.
It is therefore not possible to say what the total ultimate salary bill for the service might be. Under the Refreshment Club system it was about £1,450,000 in 1966–67. Staff have been taken over at their existing rates of pay, but these will be reviewed in due course. The introduction of some higher grade managerial staff is an additional item on the salary bill but this cost will be offset by savings of official time given by non-catering staff 36W performing Refreshment Club duties under the Committee system.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Postmaster-General in how many cases have staff hitherto employed by Post Office refreshment clubs who have received payments under the provisions of the Redundancy Payments Act been appointed to posts in the Post Office catering service.