HC Deb 24 March 1948 vol 448 cc2988-9
10. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Postmaster-General for what purpose and by what authority officers of his Department opened a letter sent by Miss R. Browne-Clark, 54, Ancaster Crescent, New Malden, on 20th February, to the Hotel National, Grindelwald.

The Postmaster-General (Mr. Wilfred Paling)

In the absence of further details, I am not in a position to say in what circumstances the letter was opened, but if the hon. Member will kindly furnish me with such particulars, including if possible the envelope of the letter itself, I shall be glad to have inquiry made.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Does the Postmaster-General mean by that answer that this tampering with the mails of private persons is on so large a scale nowadays that his Department do not even keep a record of when they do it?

Mr. Paling

It is not on a large scale at all. The answer merely means that if the hon. Member wants to know about it and will let me have the evidence, I will tell him.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Just the usual Gestapo.