§ 77. Sir FRANCIS LOWEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that letters addressed by name to officers holding His 607 Majesty's commission and employed in the Aircraft Production Department of the Ministry of Munitions are, under official instructions, opened by the staff in the central registry before they are delivered to those to whom they are addressed; whether a similar practice prevails in either the Admiralty or the War Office; and whether he can state the reasons for the adoption of these proceedings?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYUnless marked "Personal" or "Private," letters addressed to individual members of the staff of the Ministry are opened in the registry. The practice was adopted to prevent delay or miscarriage of correspondence. I understand that there is no similar rule in the Admiralty or War Office.
§ Sir F. LOWECan the hon. Gentleman explain in the case of letters addressed to these officers it is necessary for them to be opened by anyone else? Is it not a most inconvenient practice?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYIt is a convenient practice. If correspondence is addressed to members of the Ministry and not marked "Private" or "Personal," it is presumably on official business and is opened.
§ Mr. KELLAWAYI think the rule made in the Ministry prevents the abuse of private correspondence in that way.
§ Sir F. LOWEIf it is found quite possible to allow officers to open their letters at the War Office and Admiralty, why is it necessary to have a different rule in the Ministry of Munitions?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYI can only answer for the Ministry of Munitions. The same rule that applies to officers applies to other members of the Ministry, and I see no objection to it.