HC Deb 13 March 1882 vol 267 cc746-7
MR. HEALY

asked the Postmaster General, Whether, during the period when the "Irish World" was seized in Irish post offices, it was allowed to be delivered as usual through English post offices; and, if so, why a distinction was made; if it is correct that, under Article 6 of the Postal Convention, signed at Paris in June 1878, Great Britain binds herself to pay an indemnity of fifty francs to the sender of certain registered articles, including newspapers; whether the senders of undelivered registered packets of the "Irish World" will be entitled to receive the indemnity; and, whether any advice is sent to the addresses that their property has been appropriated, and under what Act of Parliament the Government have seized the paper?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

, in reply, said, that the Government had not considered it necessary to take the same action in this matter in England as they had done in Ireland. The Postal Convention of 1868 applied only to cases of accidental loss, and not to the detention of papers by proper authority. The Government did not think that they were bound to pay any indemnity in respect of the seizure of the registered copies of The Irish World which were sent to Ireland from foreign countries, or to send any notification of the fact of the seizure to those who had sent the papers. If the legality of the action of the Government were questioned, it could be challenged in a Court of Law.

MR. HEALY

wished to know whether this rule applied to registered numbers addressed to Ireland; and, if so, under what Act of Parliament they could be seized?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

said, that was a legal question.

MR. HEALY

said, he would ask the Attorney General for Ireland under what Act of Parliament these papers were seized, because he did not believe such an Act was in existence?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)

replied that, inasmuch as he had received official notification of the fact that an action had been commenced in respect of the seizure of the paper, he could not answer the Question.