HC Deb 23 June 1902 vol 109 c1374
MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now say when the censorship in South Africa and on letters and news coming to this country from South Africa will be abandoned.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.

I have received a telegram from Lord Milner today, which is to the following effect:—It has been decided greatly to relax the censorship restrictions on Coronation Day. Private letters will no longer be censored. Press cables will still be liable to censorship for the present, and until the country is more settled, although this power will be sparingly used.

MR. DILLON

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any answer to that part of the Question in reference to the censorship of newspapers and pamphlets?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

I have no information beyond that which I have already given. It says, "Private letters will no longer be censored." That means in the Colonies or elsewhere.

MR. DILLON

I will put another Question in reference to publications such as newspapers.