§ 31. Mr. PONSONBYasked the Home Secretary whether the practice of issuing warrants for the opening of all correspondence addressed to certain individuals was introduced during the War; whether in the case of such correspondence warrants are issued for definite periods in each individual case or are of permanent effect; if issued for definite periods, whether these warrants are periodically reconsidered with a view to their possible withdrawal; and how many individuals are now having their correspondence dealt with in this way?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANAs my hon. Friend stated in reply to the hon. Member for Leith last Thursday, the present practice has been in vogue many years. No warrant has permanent effect. The warrants in force are constantly under review, and are withdrawn when no longer required. It would not be in the public interest to give particulars concerning the warrants in force at any one time.
§ Mr. PONSONBYWas it not the former practice to issue a warrant for a particular letter, and not for the whole correspondence?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI must have notice of that question.
§ Captain WEDGWOOD BENNCan the right hon. Gentleman say how long the practice of giving a general warrant has been in force?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am not sure, but I think the system of issuing warrants has been in force for nearly 100 years.
§ Captain BENNHow long has it been the practice to issue a warrant authorising the opening of all the correspondence addressed to one individual?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI must have notice of that question.
§ Mr. ADAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether these warrants are operative as regards a Member of this House?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI must ask for notice of a question like that.