§ Sir G. PENNYasked the Postmaster-General the profit made by his Department in 1928 and 1929 on the carriage of mails; whether he will utilise a portion of this revenue in making better provision to safeguard mails from theft; and what sum he estimates it would take to do this?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHAs I have stated in reply to previous questions, some additional safeguards have been introduced and certain others are under consideration. The cost cannot be closely estimated, as it is spread over the whole country. The net surplus on the postal services as a whole during the financial years ended 31st March, 1928, and 31st March, 1929, was £8,843,786 and £9,245,306, respectively.
§ Sir G. PENNYasked the Postmaster-General whether any measures are taken by the Post Office to keep a record of the residences where officials live who have been discharged for dishonesty, seeing it might provide useful information in tracing some of the mail robberies which are now taking place?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHCertain precautions are taken to prevent as far as possible Post Office servants who have been dismissed for dishonesty being re-employed at another office, but I do not think it would be possible to maintain an accurate and up-to-date record of addresses which are constantly being changed.
§ Mr. GLASSEYasked the Postmaster-General what methods are in operation for the guarding of mail-bags carried on corridor trains?
§ Sir G. PENNYasked the Postmaster-General whether any stipulation is made by his Department that mails carried by rail are to be placed in a locked compartment or kept under supervision during transit so as to safeguard letters from theft?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHRailway companies are normally required under the terms of their contracts to adopt all necessary measures for the safety of the mails while in their custody. The precise means by which this requirement is implemented are necessarily left to the discretion of the1698W company concerned, but I am assured by the companies that all practicable precautions are taken.