HC Deb 04 March 1902 vol 104 cc362-3
MR. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if, in the Corcoran defalcation case, any person implicated by reason of neglect, or assumed neglect, of official duties, was allowed to make confidential reports regarding others similarly circumstanced; whether confidential reports were entertained on mere disciplinary matters, and also on the intelligence of the Dublin staff.

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

Reports were obtained from all officers who it was considered could throw any light on the matter, and all these reports were fully considered. Confidential reports were received and considered on the subject both of the conduct and the general intelligence of the officers concerned.

MR. NANNETTI

Were persons implicated in any way allowed to make confidential reports regarding others similarly circumstanced?

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

Reports were obtained from every one who it was thought could throw any light on the matter.

MR. NANNETTI

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if, since the Controller, Dublin Sorting Office, has only made good £10 of the £1,600 Corcoran defalcations, the remaining £1,590 is to be treated as a dead loss to the Revenue.

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

The net deficiency was £1,545 7s. 7½d., and this sum has been charged to the Vote for losses by fraud and default, etc. Against this loss there is a considerable set off in the shape of the forfeited pension rights of Corcoran and the reduced salaries payable owing to the disciplinary measures taken by the Postmaster General.