asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many petrol coupons have been mislaid in the post after dispatch from regional petroleum offices during the past 12 months; and what precautions are taken to reduce such losses to the minimum.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Lancaster (Mr. F. Maclean) on 13th December, 1949. Since that date there has been no material change in the percentage loss but further convictions have been obtained against persons concerned in the theft of postal packets containing coupons.