§ 11. Mr. Liptonasked the Postmaster-General how many actual and attempted robberies of post offices have taken place during the past year; and how much was stolen.
§ Mr. MarplesIn 1958-59 there were 28 robberies and 29 attempted robberies. The amount stolen was £7,290.
§ Mr. LiptonDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that these figures are rather disturbing? In order to provide better protection, could not some alarm bell system be provided at all post offices to deter some of the bandits and provide a little more protection for these hardworking public servants?
§ Mr. MarplesI do not think that the figures themselves are alarming. The counter transactions are £5,000 million a year, and the losses have been £7,290. Even so, any loss is naturally a source of disquiet. We have a bandit alarm which we are now extending, especially in London, because the risk of attack in the provinces is only about one-tenth of that in London. We are, therefore, equipping offices there first with a new type of bandit alarm which can be operated along the length of the counter.
§ Mr. LiptonAt all London post offices?
§ Mr. MarplesNo; we are attending to the worst districts. As the hon. Gentle 1222 man knows, some districts in London are worse than others, and it is in the worst districts first that we are giving post offices the benefit of this new system.
§ Mr. C. R. HobsonCan the right hon. Gentleman break down the figures he has just given to distinguish between Crown post offices and ordinary sub-post office agencies?
§ Mr. MarplesNot without notice.