HC Deb 13 February 1882 vol 266 c493
MR. REDMOND

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether the Government have power by Law to seize and summarily suppress newspapers which they consider pernicious to public morals; and, if so, why that power is not exercised in the case of the "Freethinker" and other papers of that nature now published and circulated in England?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

I stated the other day the reasons why I did not consider it would be wise to proceed at present in this matter.

MR. REDMOND

I would ask whether the Government has the power to seize and suppress such papers?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

That is a legal question, on which it would not be at all discreet that I should give an opinion.