§ 60. Sir COOPER RAWSONasked the Home Secretary why private letters are being stopped by the postal authorities in Brighton and opened, including confidential letters from solicitors to their clients, notwithstanding the fact that the solicitors' names are impressed on the backs of the envelopes; and can instructions be given to put an end to this practice?
§ Sir H. SAMUELAs an illegal lottery was being conducted at Brighton, I authorised the Postmaster-General to detain letters addressed to the promoter. Letters found to be unconnected with the promotion of the lottery have been sent On.
§ Sir C. RAWSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this lottery was abandoned so long ago as the 17th February, and that the police were informed of that fact, and is he also aware that letters are still being opened; and are not letters from solicitors to their clients supposed to be privileged communications?
§ Sir H. SAMUELMy information this morning is that the lottery has not been abandoned, but I will make further inquiry into that question, in view of my hon. Friend's statement. Any letter of the character referred to is, of course, sent on, but it is difficult to discriminate when letters are being opened.
§ Sir C. RAWSONDoes not my right hon. Friend think that when a solicitor's name is on the back of a letter it indicates that it is a professional communication?
§ Sir W. DAVISONDoes not my right hoe. Friend consider that it is high time the archaic law dealing with lotteries and sweepstakes was done away with?