HC Deb 14 March 1956 vol 550 cc35-6W
Mr. Iremonger

asked the Postmaster-General what inquiries are made concerning the bona fides of persons opening Post Office Savings Bank accounts.

Mr. Alport

None, though as a precaution the book is posted to the address given in the application. Nearly 1½ million accounts are opened each year and resultant fraud is exceedingly small.

Mr. Iremonger

asked the Postmaster-General how many Post Office Savings Bank accounts have been found, in the course of criminal proceedings, to have been used for depositing crossed cheques made out to persons other than the depositor.

Mr. Alport

Exact figures are not available but the number of cases is thought to be between 10 and 20 a year.