§ 53. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Postmaster-General by whose authority private letters passing between the Irish Free State and England are still being opened by his Department; whether he is aware that so recently as the 28th April a letter from Dublin enclosing a charitable donation was opened in the post and, after considerable delay, was delivered without apology and with only an unsigned memorandum stating that the letter had been inadvertently stopped among correspondence which infringed the regulations; what are the regulations 1907 referred to; and under what circumstances are private letters opened by postal officials?
§ Sir K. WOODIf my ton. Friend will give me particulars of the letter referred to, I will have inquiry made. I have little doubt, however, that it was opened with a number of other letters believed to contain advertisements of a lottery, the advertisement of which is prohibited under the Lottery Acts. Such letters are opened under the authority of the Secretary of State for the Home Department.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that some millions of pounds of money have been pouring from this country into Ireland, and is it worth while to open a few private letters in order to secure a few ten shilling notes or money orders?
§ Sir K. WOODI am afraid that is outside my jurisdiction, but I shall be glad to discuss the matter privately with my hon. Friend.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill the right hon. Gentleman say by what authority he opens private letters?
§ Sir K. WOODI have already stated that nay authority is under the Lottery Acts, and I act on the authority of the Secretary of State for the Home Department.