§ 44. Mr. Thorneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can give any information in connection with the 155,000 clothing coupons stolen from an office in Victoria Street, S.W., on the night of 29th May; whether they were locked in a safe; whether the safe was carried away; and whether anyone has been arrested?
§ The Under-Secretary of State to the Home Department (Mr. Peake)The coupons in question were stolen from an office of His Majesty's Customs and Excise where they were stored in a specially constructed press fitted with a padlock which was forced. Police inquiries are still proceeding, and I am informed that no arrest has yet been made.
§ Mr. ThorneDoes not the Minister think that someone ought to be appointed to be on guard, in cases where there are valuables to be protected?
§ Mr. PeakeThe question of the provision of protection in cases of this kind is the subject of consultations between Scotland Yard and His Majesty's Department of Customs and Excise at the present time.