§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it has been brought to his notice that the French Military Authorities in Madagascar open all letters, private and commercial, sent to and from British traders in that island; 1150 and whether it is possible in any way to obtain an abatement of this interference with correspondence?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. GREY, Northumberland, Berwick)We have heard from our Vice-Consul at Mojanga that an arrêté was published there on the 21st February placing the postal service under the control of the Military Authorities, but nothing was said as to letters being opened.
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTWill the hon. Baronet inquire of the Postmaster General? I understand there have been a great many complaints addressed to the Postmaster General by traders in that island.
§ MR. ARNOLD MORLEYsaid he had made inquiries, and he had heard of no such complaints.