HC Deb 25 February 1952 vol 496 c94W
123. Mrs. Braddock

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many cases of benefit sent by post from his offices have been reported as not reaching the addressee; if he is aware that the envelopes in which the benefit is sent make the contents unmistably clear so that it is easy for them to be stolen; and if he will consider some method which will reduce the possibility of theft.

Mr. Peake

Of an annual total of 42 million postal drafts sent by post, some 22,000 are reported as not received, but in one-quarter of these cases the complaint is withdrawn. The amount of fraudulent encashment is relatively small; the majority of the missing drafts are never cashed. Whatever type of envelope was used in such large numbers, its appearance would soon become familiar.