§ 63. Professor Gruffyddasked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that telegrams in Welsh to Welsh members of the Forces in India are prohibited by the censor, while telegrams in French are allowed; and whether he will take steps to remove this ban on a British mother tongue and the discrimination in favour of a foreign language.
§ Mr. BrackenThe provision of a service of telegrams in Welsh for Welsh members of the Forces in India would mean engaging a Welsh-speaking censorship staff, both in this country and in India. Until my hon. Friend put down his Question the Postal and Telegraph Censorship Department had received no request that they should allow telegrams in Welsh to be sent overseas. If my hon. Friend can supply me with evidence that there is enough demand for a service I shall try to fulfil it, although I am very reluctant to add to our censorship staff.
§ Professor GruffyddIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that my Question was dictated by letters that I have had from many of my constituents who were refused permission to send telegrams to their own relatives?
§ Mr. BrackenThey have not complained to the postal and telegraph censorship. If the hon. Member can show me that there is any substantial demand, we will consider it.
§ Sir R. RossWill my right hon. Friend consider taking some of the censors from Belfast and teaching them Welsh?
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesThe right hon. Gentleman asserts that he has received no request for a Welsh censor. Are we to understand that an appointment will be made on request?
§ Mr. BrackenThat peculiar suggestion never occurred to me before, so that I cannot answer the point.