§ Mr. Tinkerasked the Minister of Information what procedure is followed in opening and examining letters sent to 188 this country from other countries within the Empire?
§ Sir J. ReithThere is no censorship in the United Kingdom of letters sent to this country from other countries within the Empire.
§ Mr. TinkerIs the Minister aware that I have had one sent to me from my sister in Australia which has been opened and censored, and that that is why I am making inquiries?
§ Sir J. ReithThe letter was opened in Australia.
§ Mr. TinkerSurely that is dodging the issue. However, I have an answer for the time being, and I shall put down another Question.
§ Mr. MaxtonWould the letter that I have received from my constituency be opened in Australia also?
§ Sir J. ReithI should certainly want notice of that question.
§ Mr. ThorneIs it not the fact that the Post Office have for several years claimed the right to open anything they thought improper?
§ Sir J. ReithThat may be so in war-time.
§ Mr. ThorneAnd any other time?
§ Sir J. ReithAt the present moment letters from the Empire are not opened in the United Kingdom, and the United Kingdom does not control what happens to letters in any other part of the Empire.