4. Mr. Astorasked the Secretary of State for War whether there still exists a censorship ban which prevents brother officers and men or civilians from telegraphing to relatives of officers and men who have been killed, wounded or captured; and, if so, whether he will consider its immediate removal?
§ Sir J. Gri GriggThe military authorities in the Middle East found it necessary to prevent messages of this kind being sent by telegraph, not only to relieve the pressure on the channels of communication, but also to prevent unofficial messages about unverified casualties reaching relatives in this country before they had received an official notification. This arrangement prevents much avoidable distress and uncertainty, and I am not prepared to alter it.
Mr. AstorIs my right hon. Friend not aware that a personal message from friends of officers means much more to the family than the somewhat formal notification from the War Office? Will he not consider whether something might not be done?
Sir J. GriggggI have experience in my own family of confusion and distress caused by messages of this sort. I am quite clear that the procedure stated in my answer, to which I propose to adhere, is right.