§ MR. BURDETT-COUTTS (Westminster)I desire to ask the Secretary of State for War a Question, of which I have given him private notice, and to apologise for the shortness of that notice. It is whether letters addressed to Members of Parliament in England, and 819 posted in Cape Town, are opened by the press censor, and whether the practice applies to all such letters.
§ MR. BRODRICKI only received the notice a few moments ago. So far as I am aware, all letters sent from South Africa are liable to censorship, and those addressed to Members of Parliament are not treated differently to those addressed to other people. I do not know to what extent the authorities may find it necessary to take this step; but, at all events, there is no distinction made.
§ MR. BURDETT-COUTTSArising out of that answer, may I ask whether there are any rules under which the press censor acts; whether the right hon. Gentleman can state by what considerations he is governed in opening letters; and whether he can be guided by any other consideration than the name of the person to whom the letter is addressed?
§ MR. BRODRICKMy hon. friend had better give me notice of that Question.