HC Deb 20 November 1941 vol 376 cc487-8W
Sir T. Moore

asked the Home Secretary whether the theft of another lorry, on this occasion laden with boots and shoes, has been brought to his notice; and whether he will make it compulsory for firms to place two persons on each lorry, and provide one of them with a police whistle?

Mr. H. Morrison

There are objections from the point of view of man-power to the compulsory provision of a second attendant on such vehicles. I have made inquiry about the particular theft to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers and find that on that occasion a van boy had in fact been provided for the specific purpose of guarding the goods on the lorry, but was not in attendance when the lorry was stolen. I am informed that, so far at any rate as the Metropolitan Police District is concerned, there has been no increase in thefts of this kind over the past six months.