§ 26. Sir R. THOMASasked the Postmaster-General, in view of the recent frequency of mail-bag robberies, whether he proposes to transfer to Scotland Yard the entire work of preventing and investigating mail-bag thefts; and will he make a general statement on this matter?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe course suggested by the hon. Member is really impracticable as in some cases not only do technical questions of internal Post Office working arise, in which case investigation by the Post Office staff is most appropriate, but the theft may have occurred in circumstances which can best be investigated by the local or railway police.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDWhen mail-bags are transported by railway does the entire responsibility rest with the railway company, or does the Department exercise supervision?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThere is a further question on that point.
§ Mr. DAYAre the inquiries with regard to these mail-bag robberies proceeding to the satisfaction of the right hon. Gentleman?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI cannot say anything more on that point than I have already said.
§ 29. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Postmaster-General whether it is the usual practice to allow mail-bags to be taken off the trains by railway servants; and, if so, whether he will consider issuing instructions that postal matter may only be handled by or in the presence of Post Office servants?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe practice is a common one, especially as regards parcel mails, for the transfer of which the railway companies are responsible by law. In view of the number of mail-bags which are conveyed daily by train in all directions throughout the country, the cost of providing Post Office staff at every station of transfer would be out of all proportion to any additional security which might be obtained.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDAccepting what the Postmaster-General has said, would it not be possible for the Department to exercise a little more supervision over the method adopted of storing mail-bags during the night hours?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI am engaged with the railway companies on the whole matter, but, as I have already said, the responsibility in the case of parcel mails is primarily with the railway companies.
§ 30. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Postmaster-General whether it is customary to leave mail-bags overnight unguarded in ordinary railway station parcel offices; and, if so, what steps, if any, he proposes to take for the proper protection of postal matter in transit, in view of the rifling of the mail at Kendal on the night of 17th–18th April?
§ 31. Mr. DAYasked the Postmaster-General whether the Scotland Yard authorities have been asked to assist in the inquiries into the recent mail-bag robbery which took place at Kendal on 18th April, 1929; and whether his Department has now introduced any fresh safeguards to protect mail-bags during transit on the railways?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONSuch an arrangement is not uncommon where the mails reach the station at an hour when the Post Office is closed and no postal staff is on duty. The robbery at Kendal was reported to the police authorities 707 without delay. The Committee to which I referred in my statement of the 4th of March is examining in detail the question whether any additional means of providing protection for mails in transit are practicable within reasonable limits of cost and without involving such delay to mails as would inconvenience the public.
§ Mr. DAYCan the Postmaster-General answer that part of my question which asks whether the Scotland Yard authorities have been asked to assist in the inquiry into the recent mail bag robbery which took place at Kendal?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe local police have the matter in hand. I am not certain whether Scotland Yard have taken a hand in those investigations, but the local police, who are primarily responsible, have the matter in hand.
§ Mr. R. MORRISONCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Department are paying any compensation to the people who have suffered through these robberies?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI should require notice of any question of that kind.