§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he has received official reports showing that the sums lost at the money order counter, Belfast, were actually passed over the counter to the public, and what steps have been taken to show that this was the case; and whether, in view of the fact that for the two years from 1st January, 1902, to 31st December, 1903. the sum of £70 18s. 9d. was lost at the money order counter, Belfast, he will state what steps he proposes taking to safeguard the interests of counter clerks in future.
LORD STANLEYI have not receive any reports of the kind indicated by the hon. Member and I am informed that no such reports have been made. The actual amount of the deficiencies noted in the cash at the money order counter during the two years ended the 31st of December last was £63 12s. 9d. and this was among twenty-seven officers who performed duty at the money order counter during that period. In some 597 cases it was afterwards found that the apparent deficiency was due to errors made by the officers in their accounts, and in consequence a considerable proportion of the above-mentioned sum was returned to the officers concerned. The conditions under which the officers work at the public counter at Belfast are considered satisfactory and the Postmaster of Belfast informs me that no complaints on the subject have been made by the staff.