HC Deb 07 October 1942 vol 383 cc1205-6
39. Sir L. Lyle

asked the Minister of Information the exact use to which the censorship of letters in this country is put; whether he can give an assurance that it was only instituted for the purpose of preventing espionage and the diffusion of information helpful to the enemy; and to what extent it is now used to detach from their context passages suggesting non-conformation with certain home orders so that on them prosecutions can be based?

Mr. Bracken

As regards internal mails, censorship is imposed for reasons of operational security only and censors are not authorised to disclose information to other Government Departments except in the case of breaches of operational security. As regards external mails; censors are authorised to disclose the contents of correspondence to other Government Departments in the case of certain clearly defined categories of information necessary for the performance by the Department concerned of its part in the war effort. Censorship officers are not authorised to disclose information in regard to breaches of peacetime law or legislation.

Sir L. Lyle

Is my right hon. Friend aware that one of my constituents, a woman of unimpeachable character, had a letter opened, that there was nothing in it with regard to the defence of the realm, but that she had offered in the kindness of her heart three coupons to a sick friend, and that the Ministry of Food to their shame prosecuted her? Is that the intention of the censorship and does it not savour of persecution?

Mr. Bracken

If people break the law, that cannot be described as a form of persecution. This censorship business is a most awkward and difficult one. There is no political interference of any kind with the censors and I give my hon. Friend the assurance that the greatest possible care is taken in the exercise of the powers conferred upon censors.

Mr. Pickthorn

Are the employees of the censorship forbidden to pass on any information they acquire unless for security reasons, and can my right hon. Friend extend that assurance to correspondence with other parts of the Empire?

Mr. Bracken

I would certainly say so; everyone employed by the censorship is a servant of the State and must exercise the greatest possible prudence in the performance of his duty.

Mr. Sorensen

Is any discrimination made against letters, the envelopes of which are marked by the name of a local Labour party?

Mr. Bracken

Certainly not.

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