§ MR. MURNAGHAN (Tyrone, Mid)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a London firm recently had two £5 notes stolen from a registered letter, and that the claim of the firm for compensation was refused, on the ground that, as the letter as well 79 as the money was not stolen, no liability attached to the Department; will he make inquiries into the matter, and can he say whether it is the official view that the Department is not responsible, up to a certain sum, for the safe delivery of notes and coin contained in a registered letter; and, if so, will he take steps to afford some security for the conveyance of money and valuables through the Post Office?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONA case has recently been brought to my notice in which there is reason to believe that two £5 notes were stolen in France from a registered letter from London. Compensation could not be given because under the regulations of the Postal Union none is payable in respect of the loss or damage of the contents of a registered packet which is not insured. It was open to the sender to have insured the contents of the letter by payment of an additional fee of 2d.
§ * MR. MURNAGHANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is the common belief that the payment of the registration fee secures safe delivery of the contents of the letter, and will he take steps to disabuse the public mind on that point in order that losses similar to that mentioned in the Question may be avoided in the future?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONThat is so; but in this matter we are under an International Convention of Postal Unions, and we have no power to grant compensation. This is a question of foreign, and not domestic administration.
§ MR. LEVERTON HARRISWho gets the registration fee?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONThat is dealt with under the Convention.
§ MR. J. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I recently called attention to a case where the contents of a registered letter had been abstracted in this country, and could get no satisfaction?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONI think that was a case in which the letter was not delivered at all. Where we think the abstraction is due to carelessness in the Post Office, then we pay compensation.
§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.):What is the advantage of registration over and above ordinary postage if it affords no protection?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONIn the great bulk of cases it ensures safe delivery.
§ MR. ASHLEYIs it quite fair that the Post Office should receive money as fees and give no compensation in cases where the registered letter is lost?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONI have explained we are acting under international regulations, and I have no power to grant compensation in such a case as this. I am, of course, open to criticism in regard to matters which arise in this country.