§ 14. Mr. HOUSTONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can, consistently with the public interests, explain why a letter from the captain of a certain steamer, posted at Portsmouth on 21st January to his owner, R. P. Houston, 16, Leadenhall Street, London, was censored and not delivered until 25th January?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIf my hon. Friend will be so good as to forward the envelope in which this letter was contained, I will be glad to have inquiries made, but without tie envelope it is impossible to say where or by whom the letter was censored.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIs it necessary to censor letters addressed to him?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am not responsible for the censorship. That question should be addressed to the Under-Secretary of State for War; but if I get the envelope I will inquire.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat is not a question which should be addressed to me. I am not the responsible authority. The question should be addressed to the Under-Secretary for War.
§ Mr. T. TAYLORIs correspondence from one place to another in this Island censored?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat question should be addressed to the War Office.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITErose—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe Parliamentary Secretary has no responsibility in this matter.