§ MR. HEXNIKER HEATONI beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he can give a Return of the number of thefts of postal packets committed during the past 12 months, and of the numbers of officials dismissed for irregularity, and prosecuted, respectively; whether the latest Regulations on the subject of postal orders have had any effect in checking the thefts of letters in course of transmission; and whether he will take further steps to protect the public against this form of dishonesty?
§ MR. A. MORLEYIt would not be possible to give accurately the number of thefts of postal packets committed during the past 12 months, because experience shows that packets may be stolen without any application for them being made. And as regards the number of officials dismissed for irregularity and prosecuted respectively, a Return might, no doubt, be given, but it would take time, and be troublesome to prepare. The latest Regulations have made the fraudulent negotiation of postal orders more difficult, and to this extent, no doubt, have tended to check the theft of letters. No efforts are being spared to protect the public from this form of dishonesty.
§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that an unusually large number of postmen have been prosecuted for theft during the past three mouths?
§ MR. A. MORLEYNo, Sir; I am not.