§ Mr. WILESasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that thefts of clothing from post office cloak rooms are on the increase; whether, having regard to the assurance given that all cases would be considered on their merits, he will state whether any cases have been since reported to him; if so, with what result; and whether he will now see that proper safeguards are provided to prevent loss by theft, and issue the necessary authority for all losers to be compensated?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHThefts from cloak rooms are reported from time to time, but I cannot say whether they are on the increase. So far as practicable, safeguards are provided, but owing to the War the supply of additional long lockers is necessarily suspended. As I have already stated, I am unable to give any general undertaking to allow compensation. Two cases were brought before me in March last by one of the Post Office staff associations, and I answered that the circumstances were not considered such as to warrant an exception being made to the general rule.
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