Mr. POINTERasked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been drawn to the circumstances under which William Henry Corkhill, an auxiliary postman in Douglas, Isle of Man, has been sentenced to six months' hard labour for stealing two postal orders, valued at 20s. and 14s. 6d., respectively, and two penny stamps; whether, seeing that Corkhill was paid at the rate of 15s. 9d. per week and had great difficulty in supporting himself thereon, he can recommend a reduction of the sentence; and whether he will consider the possibility of removing temptation of this kind by the payment of a living wage to both regular and auxiliary postmen in the Isle of Man?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI am aware of the case to which the hon. Member refers. Corkhill was engaged for about six hours a day during the holiday season, and he was paid at the usual rate for the work performed. He received extra pay for any additional work, and I understand that he received, on an average, from the Post Office a little over a pound a week. He is an unmarried man, and was living with his relatives. I have no power to interfere with the judgment of the Court; and I cannot admit that the man was underpaid for his Post Office work or was exposed to any particular temptation.