§ 43. Mr. Reakesasked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that gifts of 40 cigarettes dispatched from Wallasey to soldiers serving in Northern Ireland have been returned to sender with an instruction for a permit to be secured; and whether he will cause this regulation to be relaxed by the Postal and Telegraph Censorship, Permit Branch at Liverpool.
§ Mr. BrackenIt was decided recently to extend to postal packets addressed to members of His Majesty's Forces serving in Northern Ireland the permit system which had been applied to similar packets addressed to civilians in July, 1940. This is to be regarded as an additional measure of security and I regret that I cannot authorise any relaxation.
§ Mr. ReakesIs the Minister aware that I have sent scores of packets of cigarettes to Italy, India, North Africa and other parts of the world without a permit being required? Why should there be this differentiation in treatment between overseas Forces and Forces in Northern Ireland?
§ Mr. BrackenThe hon. Gentleman's tribute to his own generosity in distributing cigarettes—
§ Mr. ReakesThey were distributed for an organisation in my constituency.
§ Mr. BrackenThe hon. Gentleman would not be so dogmatic if he knew, as we know, the methods used by the enemy in sending messages. This decision was not taken lightly; it was taken by the security authorities after the greatest consideration.
§ Mr. ReakesBut is the Minister aware that there is a great difference between the censorship of these packets and making it necessary for distributors to get a permit? I am not objecting to censorship; that is quite a different matter.
§ Mr. BrackenIt certainly is, but I have answered the Question on the Order Paper. If there is any question of how we could alleviate censorship in any way I will certainly consider it.
§ Mr. ReakesI am not asking for that.
§ Mr. PrittCould not the Minister consider treating these cigarettes rather like books and publications, that is to say, licensing certain wholesalers to despatch them?
§ Mr. BrackenThat point is dealt with in my answer to the next Question.
§ 44. Mr. Reakesasked the Minister of Information whether as the barring of greetings cards to Northern Ireland is unreasonable, he will have the regulation relaxed by the Postal and Telegraph Censorship, Permit Branch, Liverpool.
§ Mr. BrackenThe sending of greetings cards to Northern Ireland is not barred but despatches must be made through a firm which holds a permit. The permit system was applied to Northern Ireland in July, 1940, as a measure of security and I am sure that the House will agree that now is not the time to consider any relaxation.