§ 1. Dr. FORGANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the circumstances under which a bank teller, on duty alone in a branch bank, was murdered in Clydebank on the 12th August, 1931; and if the Scottish Office has advised the joint stock banks in Scotland in the interest of their employés to adopt the rule, observed in trustee savings banks, that at least two members of the staff must be in attendance within bank premises during the transaction of all business?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I understand that the attention of the banks has been drawn to the matter by the staff organisations in England and Scotland, and it seems unnecessary, therefore, that my right hon. Friend should offer any advice on the matter.
§ Dr. FORGANIn view of the fact that the answers given by various joint stock banks in Scotland have not given satisfaction to the employés and do not meet their reasonable demand to be protected from assault and possible murder, will the hon. Gentleman advise his right hon. Friend of the desirability of convening an informal meeting of the representatives of the joint stock banks in order to consider coming into line with the practice in the trustee savings banks?
§ Mr. SKELTONI shall convey the suggestion of the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend, but of course the hon. Member is aware that my right hon. Friend has no jurisdiction in the matter.