§ 15. Mr. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his Department was consulted before the recent restrictions on the sending of Irish newspapers to neutral countries and America were imposed; whether he is aware that a number of country people in Ireland with no knowledge of the intricacies of the regulations made have posted, and are posting, papers weekly to their friends in America, not one of which is either returned or delivered; and whether, seeing that a Press censorship exists in Dublin to control such matters, he will undertake to have these restrictions modified so as to allow papers which are censored in Ireland to be sent without further trouble?
§ Mr. FORSTERNo, Sir. The Irish Government was not consulted before the restrictions in question, which were adopted as a measure of postal censorship, were imposed. These restrictions apply throughout the United Kingdom, and their object is to prevent the communication of military information by secret means. The Press censorship is not concerned. Regarding the second part of the question, the papers which are stopped are returned to the sender whenever he can be identified.
§ Mr. FARRELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that we have a Press Censor 709 in Ireland, and that all the local newspapers have to submit to this Press Censor; and, that being so, why should they not be at liberty to send their papers direct to people in America?
§ Mr. FORSTERIt is not really a question of the Press Censor. The hon. Member will understand that it is quite possible to convey secret information by making various markings or notes on the margin of a paper which has already passed the Press Censor. It is more a question of the Postal Censor.
§ Mr. FARRELLThis is an important matter for the local newspapers in Ireland. Does the right hon. Gentleman think that it is fair that local newspaper proprietors in Ireland should have to send their newspapers to commission agents in London, who, of course, earn remuneration for themselves without any reference whatever to the rights of these people to communicate with their customers in America?
§ Mr. FORSTERI do not think that the hon. Gentleman is correct in saying that it is necessary to send the newspapers over here.
§ Mr. FARRELLI have seen the circular.
§ Mr. FORSTERThe papers, I suppose, can be forwarded through the licensed agents in Ireland?
§ Mr. FARRELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these licensed gentlemen have to get permission to send on to America, and they have also to pay a commission?