§ 15. Mr. DAYasked the Postmaster-General the approximate ages of the persons employed by the Post Office to examine books which are sent through the post; whether these persons can understand the respective languages in which the books are printed; and can he state whether any persons under the age of 21 are employed in the examination of these subjects?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONAs indicated at page 17 of the Post Office Guide, all articles sent through the post at the printed paper rate (including 2029 books) are subject to examination by officers of the Post Office at any office through which they may pass. The object of the examination is, of course, to ensure that the conditions of admission to the cheap printed papers rate are complied with, e.g., that no letters or other prohibited articles are being transmitted at this rate. I have no information as to the ages of the officers detailed from time to time for these duties; they are not as a rule required to possess any language qualifications.
§ Mr. DAYIs it the case that some of the officials who undertake this work are under 21; and does not the right hon. Gentleman think that adults should examine these books?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI am not aware of the precise conditions, but, as I say, they may be of any age. The examination is not a censorship; it is merely to ascertain whether any extraneous matter is being sent.