HC Deb 25 July 1968 vol 769 cc954-5
24. Mr. Wall

asked the Postmaster-General how many parcels, packets and letters from Rhodesia have been opened since 14th June.

Mr. Joseph Slater

Existing Regulations require the Post Office to open any postal packet coming in from abroad at the request of H.M. Customs. Since the coming into operation of the Rhodesia Sanctions Order all mails received by sea or air from Rhodesia have immediately been made available to the Customs authority for examination.

Mr. Wall

Does that reply mean that all letters from Rhodesia are now being opened, or can be opened, by the Customs in order to extract information? While the Government deny censorship, is not this expressly that?

Mr. Slater

The simple answer is that all mails arriving from Rhodesia are immediately made available to Her Majesty's Customs for examination.

Sir Knox Cunningham

Can the hon. Gentleman say how much additional cost this will be over a year?

Mr. Slater

Additional cost to whom?

Sir Knox Cunningham

The taxpayer.

Mr. Speaker

Order. A Minister does not ask questions; he answers them.