§ Mr. Granvilleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what steps are being taken to prevent the theft of parcels upon the railways.
2195W
§ Mr. Noel-BakerMy hon. Friend will appreciate that the railways are carrying an exceptionally heavy volume of traffic at the present time; that the war-time shortage of particular commodities provides a greater inducement to theft; and that the blackout and the shortage of railway staff render supervision of railway platforms and other places where parcels are handled much more difficult than in peace-time. Nevertheless, the railways are doing everything in their power to prevent the theft of parcels. In 1943 they prosecuted no less than 6,690 persons for theft.