§ Mr. CADOGANasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that during the last year there have been 71 mail robbberies, and that none of the thieves have so far been brought to justice; that in many cases Scotland Yard has complained of delay by the Post Office in notifying the robberies; whether he proposes to institute an inquiry; and, if not, what steps he proposes to take to deal with the matter?
§ Mr. BOWERMANasked the Postmaster-General the number of mail-bag robberies which have taken place during the past three years; the number of persons prosecuted in connection therewith; and the amount of compensation paid for the losses involved in such robberies during that period?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Postmaster-General whether in view of the mail-bag robberies that have taken place in the last 12 months, he is satisfied that every possible safeguard is taken against these robberies; and, if not, whether he will see that adequate steps are taken to prevent their recurrence?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHThe number of mail bags lost, mainly due to theft, during858W 1927, 1928 and 1929, was 21, 41 and 27 respectively. In addition, during the same period about as many other bags were tampered with while in course of transit. Seven persons were prosecuted in connection with these thefts in 1929, and five in each of the previous two years. There is no foundation for the suggestion that Scotland Yard has on any occasion complained of delay in notifying mail losses. The total amount paid as compensation for the loss of postal packets, including parcels, during the past three years averages £12,000 per annum. It is not possible to separate the compensation paid in respect of the particular losses referred to above. I think it desirable to mention, in view of possible public apprehension which may have been aroused by Press reports of mail robberies, that the number of mail bags conveyed annually by rail exceeds 40,000,000, to which must be added considerable numbers which are transported by road. The bags lost or violated average little more than one per million. The total losses of registered packets of all kinds from all causes are about 16 per million. As the result of the report of a committee which has recently investigated the question, some additional safeguards have been introduced and certain others are under consideration. I hope that these measures, which it is not desirable to disclose in detail, will afford further security. It must, however, be remembered that a large proportion of mail bags while in course of transit by rail or by sea are outside the control of Post Office staff.