§ 53. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Postmaster-General how many German postmasters and sub-postmasters have up to date been removed from their offices as objects of suspicion; and how many postmasters or sub-postmasters of German origin still remain in the public service?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)Two sub-postmasters of German nationality were removed from office shortly after the outbreak of war, in accordance with the general policy laid down by my predecessor—not on account of any definite suspicion against them—and one sub-postmistress who, though herself a natural-born British subject, had lost her British nationality by marrying a German, was, as a measure of precaution, removed from office for the duration of the War. Two sub-postmasters of German birth, but naturalised British subjects, were also relieved of office. There are at present in the Post Office service thirteen sub-postmasters of German birth who have been 362 naturalised as British subjects and twenty-nine sub-postmasters who are themselves natural-born British subjects but whose parents, or one or other of them, were German or Austrian. There are no postmasters or sub-postmasters of German or Austrian nationality in the service.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSHave any of these remaining German postmasters or sub-postmasters access to telegrams and other information passing through their post offices?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThere are none remaining who are of German nationality. Wherever there is reason to fear that a sub-postmaster of German origin may have access to confidential information he would be removed to another office.
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThat would give rise to a number of very hard cases in the case of persons who have come here in their childhood and perhaps had thirty or forty years' service.