HC Deb 06 January 1916 vol 77 cc1077-8
5. Sir E. CORNWALL

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he can state what is the policy of the British Government with respect to the examination and seizure of neutral mails?

Sir E. GREY

Goods otherwise liable to seizure on board neutral vessels do not, under international law, acquire immunity by the mere fact of being sent through the post. The Allied Governments are accordingly applying the same treatment to all such goods, however conveyed.

With postal correspondence found on neutral vessels on the high seas the Allied Governments do not at present interfere, but they exercise their undoubted rights to examine and censor such correspondence when ships carrying them enter their territory or territorial waters.