§ MR. FRASER-MACKINTOSH (Inverness-shire)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware what advantage is taken by mischievous and malevolent persons of sending letters through the Post Office, purposely open, containing obscene, scandalous, and incriminating matter; and whether there is any power to stop such open letters in transit; and, if not, whether steps will be taken to put an end to such an abuse of the postal service?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES, Cambridge University)Missives of the kind referred to by the hon. Member have occasionally been sent through the post, but I think such cases have been sufficiently provided for by existing legislation. Under the present law no indecent, obscene, or offensive matter can be sent by post, and if 434 tendered for transmission would be refused, or if detected in transit would be detained and confiscated, and the sender would be liable to prosecution. If the hon. Member has any particular case in his mind and will furnish me with the particulars I will have it properly investigated. I may state that a person was convicted in December last of sending offensive post cards and was fined £10 for each offence or one month's imprisonment with hard labour.