§ 15. Mr. LYNCHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has ascertained the channel by which Prince Albert of Schleswig-Holstein, now an officer in the German Army, communicates with his relatives in this country; whether any other soldier in the fighting forces of Germany has the like facility of communicating with friends here; and, if not, will he say why Prince Albert of Schleswig-Holstein enjoys special privileges?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Balfour)A letter from Prince Albert of Schleswig-Holstein recently reached this country through the intermediary of the Swiss Government, who have charge of German interests in this country, and who duly communicated the letter to the Foreign Office. It was submitted to the Censor in the ordinary way. Whichever may be the channels through which letters from Germany reach this country, they are all, so far as I know, controlled by the Censor, who treats all letters on their merits, without regard to the position of the correspondents.
§ Mr. LYNCHIs it usual, even subject to the control of the Censor, for enemies, in the ranks of the Kaiser's Army, to hold communication with people in this country, even though they may feel in honour bound to fight against this country?
§ Mr. BALFOURI confess that I do not admire the taste of the hon. Member in dealing with communications in reference to the death of a parent in the manner which he has seen fit to adopt. Perfectly 9 adequate methods of censorship are maintained and I do not think that any abuse is likely to occur.