HC Deb 05 March 1929 vol 226 cc206-7
59. Sir H. BRITTAIN

asked the Postmaster-General what precautions are taken to preserve the security of mail bags in transit by rail?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

Mail bags are conveyed by railway in charge either of Post Office or of railway officials. As I stated yesterday, the matter is at present under investigation in my Department.

Sir H. BRITTAIN

Is it not a fact that anyone may go through the vans and find that nobody is about and that the mail-bags are lying about?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

That is undoubtedly true. The mails are during that period in charge of the guards of the railway company, but I should prefer to say nothing further on the subject at the moment, because the whole question of the custody of the mails is under consideration at the present moment.

Mr. DAY

Is it not the case that while the mails are in the railway vans sometimes the guards are not there at all, and passengers can pass in and out of the carriages?