§ 17. Mr. Geoffrey Cooperasked the Postmaster-General what are the qualifications necessary and what steps are taken to check on the satisfactory character of a Post Office employee before he is appointed to the position of sub-postmaster.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for North Aberdeen (Mr. Hector Hughes) on nth June.
§ Mr. CooperDoes my right hon. Friend realise that a recent case of Post Office fraud, which was reported in the Press at Southend, disclosed that a sub-postmaster had 12 previous convictions; and is he further aware that there is dissatisfaction among Post Office workers with the way in which a good many appointments are being made, and will he look into the matter with a view to removing that dissatisfaction?
§ Mr. PalingI think there was a case of that kind, but the man in question had been convicted a good many years beforehand.
§ Mr. CooperIs information regarding a man's record available to the Post Office?
§ Mr. PalingYes, Sir, up to a point.