Mail Vans (Protection)

HC Deb 09 November 1955 vol 545 cc1828-9

19. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will take further steps to ensure adequate protection of mail vans.

Dr. Hill

Further steps in this direction are continually being taken.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is it right that a driver should be sent alone with a mail van containing substantial sums of currency, as seems to be the case in view of what happened last week?

Dr. Hill

It is right and necessary on certain occasions that the driver should be alone. In order to get this matter in perspective, it should be recognised that although there are 13,000 vehicles doing about 185 million miles a year, the number of mail van thefts last year was eight and the number so far this year has been five.

Mr. Daines

Surely the right hon. Gentleman should give an assurance to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton) that not only should there be a driver and mate but also a third man.

Mr. S. Silverman

In view of the apparent inability of the Postmaster-General to answer the Question of my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton), can he at least assure the House that security in these matters is not in the hands of the Foreign Office.