§ 25. Mr. D. Marshallasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many British and how many German personnel are employed on censorship of mail from Germany; what is the cost of this censorship; and how long is the mail delayed in transit.
§ Mr. J. HyndThere are 15 British and 400 Germans now employed on this work. The cost of the British staff is just over £7,000 a year; the German staff are paid from German sources. Normally, mail is not delayed more than two days.
§ Mr. MarshallIs the Minister aware that the information I have received shows that the delay is 15 days?
§ Mr. HyndTests have been made, and I believe there have been exceptional cases of delays up to 13 or 15 days, but that is not normal.
§ Mr. Martin LindsayCan the hon. Gentleman say how much longer it will be necessary to impose this censorship?
§ Mr. HyndAs long as it is considered necessary by the Control Commission for security and other reasons.
§ Mr. StokesAs all the exceptional cases seem to come my way, will my hon. Friend have all the envelopes in my mail examined after they have arrived a month or more after despatch?
§ Mr. Wilson HarrisCan the hon. Gentleman say why a postcard was censored because it had a picture of the Virgin Mary on the back?
§ Mr. HyndIt was not because that was a specific restriction; the restriction applies to illustrated cards in general.