asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he is aware that the group charging system introduced in August 1959 without prior consultation with the Subpostmasters' Union has operated to cause a reduction in the salary of sub-postmasters whose work is increased by over 127,000 transactions, but the telephone unit value of whose work has declined by some 10,000 units; and whether in certain cases this has resulted in a reduction of £30 in the annual remuneration of Subpostmasters.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sub-postmasters' Salaries: Group Charging System.
34.
Under the group charging system introduced in August, 1959, many calls which up to then were trunk calls became local calls. The handling of a local call involves less work than the handling of a trunk call and consequently a subpostmaster receives a lower unit credit for it. The total unit credits earned by some subpostmasters dropped as a result of the change, involving salary reductions of £30 a year in a few cases, but I am not aware of any case where a reduction of up to £30 occurred in the circumstances set out in the question. The overall effect of the change, however, was to stimulate telephone traffic and in consequence the total amount paid to subpostmasters for telephone work has been increased substantially.
A claim for revision of unit credits for telephone work is at present being considered by the Subpostmasters' Consultative Council.
May I take it that if cases emerge such as those outlined here, where the work has increased and the remuneration has declined, favourable consideration will be given to removing such anomaly?
The Department always regards favourably that type of suggestion.