HC Deb 05 May 1924 vol 173 cc2-3
1. Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Under Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that on the 25th February, 1924, Mr. P. S. R. Anjaneyulu, for the Navayuga publishing house, wrote to the Director-General of Telegraphs and Posts complaining of the delay in the delivery of foreign mails addressed to that firm and also complaining of the censorship thus imposed, which the firm states has inflicted monetary loss upon them; that the papers thus delayed, censored, or undelivered include the following, amongst many others: the "Crusader," the "Unity," the "Nation," the "Daily Herald," the "Saturday Herald," the "Manchester Guardian Weekly," the "Living Age," the "Freeman," the "New Russia," the "Outlook," the "New Majority," and the "Islamic Review"; and if he will take steps to put an end to either the examination or censorship of newspapers in India?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Richards)

My Noble Friend has written to make inquiries regarding the alleged examination of the mails of the person named, and will let my hon. Friend have the reply as soon as it is received.

Mr. HOPE SIMPSON

Is it a fact, as stated, that these papers are not allowed to go through?

Mr. RICHARDS

I have said there is no censorship.

Sir LEONARD LYLE

Will the hon. Gentleman suggest to these publishing houses that if they import really respectable papers, such as the "Morning Post"—

Colonel Sir CHARLES YATE

Will the hon. Gentleman see to it that the discretion of the Government of India in prohibiting the entry of papers into India is not put a stop to in any way?

Back to