§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the letters and articles sent by Mr. J. J. Comerford, as correspondent of the Freeman's Journal in South Africa, posted weekly at Cradock during February and March, 1900, with two exceptions, were never received; and that, on Mr. Comerford making complaint to the Chief Military Press Censor in Pretoria of the seizure of his letters and articles, Major Sawyer was directed to investigate the matter, but on his making inquiries at Cradock he was suddenly transferred to another station, and no further step in the investigation was taken; and, having regard to the fact that Mr. Comerford has addressed repeatedly letters to the Chief Military Press Censor on this matter, and has received no reply, whether any and, if so, what steps will be taken to restore to this gentleman the photographs and manuscripts seized in transmission through the post, or to 1141 compensate him for the loss of his literary work as a journalist not at the seat of war and not holding a military licence.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Lord STANLEY, Lancashire, Westhoughton)I have spoken to my hon. friend the Member for Westmoreland on this subject, as he was censor at Cape Town and dealt with this question when it arose. He has promised to look up the papers and communicate with the hon. Member on the subject.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLWill that be before next session?
§ LORD STANLEYI hope so.