§ Mr. F. ROBERTSasked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the large number of losses of clothing and other personal articles which have taken place from the retiring rooms and cloak rooms used by the Post Office staff; whether he is aware that it is impossible for the staff to carry wet coats and umbrellas with them during their working hours; whether adequate safeguards and accommodation are provided; whether, having regard to the severity of the losses to many of the employés concerned, he will admit responsibility for the safe custody of clothing which has to be left in cloak rooms; and whether he will take immediate and adequate steps to safeguard the staff from loss, and to detect the offenders?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHMy attention has been called to this matter and the whole question, which is a difficult one, has received my careful consideration on more than one occasion. It is the policy of the Department to provide adequate safeguards, as far as possible, in the shape of suitable lockers for the clothing and other property of the staff, but it has not been possible to complete the supply of these receptacles owing to war conditions. All practicable steps are being taken to detect offenders; but there are serious objections to any general assumption of responsibility on the part of the Post Office in the matter.