§ 42. Mr. BUCHANANasked the Postmaster-General the total number of persons convicted of any form of theft while in the employment of the Post Office last year; what percentage of the staff they represent; and how many prosecutions arose from letters between bookmakers and their clients?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe total number of persons convicted of any form of theft. while in the employment of the Post Office in Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1927 was 227, about one per 1,000 of the total staff. No record is kept of the number of prosecutions arising specifically from the theft of letters in course of transmission to or from betting agents.
§ Mr. R. MORRISONCan the right hon. Gentleman say, of that number of 227, how many were permanent and how many temporary employés?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI could not without notice, but perhaps I might be able to do so if notice were given of the question.
§ Mr. MORRISONWould that 227 include, say, men who were only taken on for a fortnight at Christmas time?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI should like notice of that question also.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDHas it come to the notice of the right hon. Gentleman that in the last few weeks there have been at least two or three cases in the Police Courts where the penalties inflicted for these offences have been modified in view of the possible consequences to the men, such as loss of pension and so on, which would follow conviction?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is quite another matter, and the hon. Member should give notice of that question.