HC Deb 26 June 1916 vol 83 cc509-10
25. Mr. PONSONBY

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that among the pamphlets seized by the police from a private residence in Penarth was one on the "Sermon on the Mount," by the Bishop of Oxford; and whether this publication is on the list of prohibited pamphlets mentioned by him on the 1st June?

Mr. SAMUEL

I have made inquiry inquiry into this matter, as I undertook to do in answer to questions last week. The hon. Members who took an interest in this case will be glad to learn that there is no foundation for the statement that the Bishop of Oxford's book was seized by the police. The story appears to have originated from the fact that, when the police seized some pamphlets at Penarth, the owner of the pamphlets handed a copy of the Bishop's book to the police inspector, and asked him to read and return it. I have no doubt the inspector will return it when he has completed his perusal.