§ 31. Mr. McENTEEasked the Postmaster-General the amount of money stolen from telephone kiosks during the last six months; the number of boxes pillaged; and the number of convictions during this period or to the latest available date?
§ Sir K. WOODI regret that the information asked for in the first two parts of the question cannot be given for the country as a whole. Figures, however, which are available, indicate that nearly £1,300 was stolen from about 700 boxes in London and the neighbourhood during the six months November, 1931—April, 1932. Nine convictions have been obtained since 1st January, and seven persons charged with offences of this character are now before the courts.
§ Mr. McENTEEIs the Post Office taking steps to introduce anything of a. mechanical nature to prevent this?
§ Sir K. WOODCertain steps are being taken, but a number of these offences arise through the destruction of the receptacles by crowbars and implements of that kind. Therefore I am afraid that the hon. Member's suggestion would not be very helpful.