§ Mr. JOWETTasked the Attorney-General whether he can state the number of publications that have been seized under the Defence of the Realm Regulations; whether the author of any single one has been proceeded against for seditious or criminal libel; and whether he will advise that future seizures will be followed by a prosecution for seditious or criminal libel, so that the author can have the opportunity of having his writings judged by a judge and jury, as was done during the Napoleonic Wars?
§ Sir G. CAVEMy right hon. and learned Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I am unable to state the number of publications which have been seized under the Defence of the Realm Regulations. Proceedings have been taken in respect of several of the publications seized, but they have been taken under the Defence of the Realm Regula-1442W tions, and not under the law relating to seditious or criminal libel In reply to the last part of the question, I am unable to give any general undertaking as to the procedure which will be adopted in case of further seizures being made.