§ 49. Mr. GINNELLasked the Prime Minister whether it is with the sanction of the Government that text books, pamphlets, and other publications for the use of speakers and learners of the Irish language, and having none but a literary purpose and interest, given to Irish prisoners in this country in the various prisons, have all been taken from them at Frongoch, and that no Irish matter or paper containing Irish matter is allowed to reach them; whether the prisoners made any improper use of the Irish language while allowed to use it; whether the proscription of the Gaelic language is found to increase their affection for the Empire; and whether the Government have considered the effect on neutral opinion of proscribing Gaelic and imprisoning and interning without trial officials of the Gaelic League who are not accused of connection with any political organisation, while allowing the free use of German literature to German prisoners and internees?
Mr. SAMUELThe censorship of books and letters in the Erse language presents difficulties, but I have arranged that educational books in the Erse language will be passed.
Mr. SAMUELLetters in Irish have been passed, and this will continue, unless the number should increase to such an extent as to cause difficulty in their examination.
§ Mr. GINNELLHow is it that Irish literature of the class mentioned in the question has not been delivered, and that the Gaelic League, which sent a parcel of that character there, has been unable either to get it delivered, returned, or even acknowledged?
Mr. SAMUELThe reason is that the Censorship had difficulty in reading this literature. I have now made such arrangements with the military authorities that the literature can be passed.