HC Deb 28 March 1917 vol 92 c416
44. Mr. GINNELL

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the grounds or principles on which certain literature sent, carriage paid, to Irish prisoners of war in this country last year was not allowed to reach them; and whether such of it as was not contrary to those grounds or principles will now be returned to the owners on application by them?

Sir G. CAVE

The object of censorship was to prevent the passage of printed or written matter which might tend to excite or perpetuate hostility to this country or sympathy with the enemy. Very little literature sent to the Irish prisoners was stopped, and, so far as the censors are aware, none was withheld except in accordance with this principle. The last part of the question, therefore, does not seem to arise.

Mr. GINNELL

The right hon. Gentleman has not defined what sort of literature is calculated to excite antipathy to this country. For instance, does it include the book in my hand, the Four Gospels in the Irish language which was so treated?

Sir G. CAVE

No, Sir; that is an old question.

Mr. GINNELL

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether literature, so stopped, of which this book is a part, becomes the perquisite of any official in the Censor's office, and will he say how this book came to be sold by a person in that office to a second-hand bookseller in London, from whom I bought it? Will the right hon. Gentleman give any information on this interesting subject?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member should give notice of that.

Mr. GINNELL

I want to know why this book, sent to a man interned at Fron-goch, was not allowed to reach him?

Sir G. CAVE

I have answered that. It is not a fact.

Mr. GINNELL

It is a fact.

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