§ 30. Mr. LYNCHasked the Under-Secretary for War whether he has issued an Order that letters to Members addressed to the House of Commons shall be opened by the Censor; if so, whether the same rule affects Members of the House of Lords or members of the Government; and whether he can give the reason for this Order?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe correspondence of Members of both Houses is liable to censorship. Members of the Government are exempt so far as their official correspondence is concerned. As regards the reasons for the censorship, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for North Islington.
§ Mr. SNOWDENIs it not a fact that letters are very often opened, and that they are not marked as having been opened?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMy own impression is that the rule is being kept that if a letter is opened it is duly marked as having been opened by the Censor.
§ Mr. LYNCHHow can this rule give any protection against secrets being known through the post by the enemy?