§ MR. FREEMAN-THOMAS (Hastings)To ask the Postmaster General if he is aware that it is the practice to search the pouches of the postmen at Hastings and St. Leonards after each delivery; and in case where the postmen book off duty at the head office, the searching of pouches is carried out by a clerk in front of the counter in full view of the public; whether this practice is carried out at all offices under his control; and, if not, will he give orders for it to be discontinued at the offices mentioned.
(Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) The practice of searching the pouches of postmen after each delivery is according to rule; but the arrangement for this duty at the head office at Hastings is certainly an undesirable one. and it has now been remedied by transferring the duty of booking off to the sorting office and having the pouches examined there. I may add that no official complaint on this subject has been made by any of the postmen concerned.