§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether the following facts have been brought under his notice—namely, that on Wednesday night, 3rd April, a man on the midnight duty, named Jenkins, when examining his receipt slips for letters, found one already stamped with his number stamp, which circumstance he duly reported. He and a sorter named Broome were summoned before the Sub-Controller, Mr. Finch, when the Assistant Controller, Mr. Saunderson, in Mr. Finch's presence, declared his belief that the affair "was a huge joke," perpetrated in order to keep up the excitement respecting a petition which had been submitted for the disuse of the number stamp instrument; whether it is the fact that this instrument has to be used by the employés for signing the registered letters in lieu of the ordinary method by writing, and that the person to whom such instrument is entrusted is responsible for whatever use is made of the instrument, even if it should be stolen or otherwise used without his knowledge or consent; whether it is the fact that several cases have occurred of such instrument having been stolen, and that, in consequence of the danger of such theft or other misuse, and the heavy 234 liability lying upon the employés in such case, petitions have been preferred in favour of the abolition of the instrument in question; and whether he will call upon the Assistant Controller to explain his action in the matter?
§ MR. RAIKESI have not as yet completed my inquiry into the circumstances alluded to by the hon. Member, but I may say that if the irregularity, which was undoubtedly committed by some one, was committed from any other motive than thoughtless mischief, the case will certainly assume a more serious aspect.