§ 28. Mr. Wallasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many letters and packets from Rhodesia have been opened by the Customs authorities since 14th June, 1968; how this figure compares with the previous four months; what information is extracted, and to whom it is passed.
§ Mr. TaverneNo records are kept of the numbers of such letters and packets opened for Customs examination. The examination, in any event, is concerned solely with Customs matters and there is no question of information being extracted for other purposes.
§ Mr. WallAs the Postmaster-General has announced that all mail from Rhodesia goes to the Customs for examination, would the Minister say by how much this delays the mail?
§ Mr. TaverneMail which comes from Rhodesia is not opened and is not examined if it consists of only a flat letter. It is because of the import Order passed earlier this year, which prohibits the importation of goods except under licence, that this mail goes through the Customs.