89. Mr. SHIRLEY BENNasked the Postmaster-General whether a German named F. Lange is employed in the cable department; whether he has been removed once and put back again; and whether the cypher decoding of important naval cables is passing through his hands?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Joseph Pease)My attention has been drawn to public statements which have been made to this effect, and which the hon. Member has doubtless seen. I have made inquiries as to the case referred to, and I may say that the allegations quoted are without exception incorrect. Mr. Lange is not a German, but a British subject born in London in 1864. His father was a German who came to London about 1850, his mother was English, so also is his wife. He has never been removed, and has therefore not been restored. He states that his sympathies are entirely with the Allied cause, and there is no evidence to the contrary. He has been in the service of the Post Office thirty-four years. I need hardly say that neither he nor any other officer of the Post Office is charged with the decoding of Government cypher telegrams nor has access to any of the Government codes or cyphers. In my opinion it is regrettable that currency should be given to such statements before inquiry has been made as to their accuracy.