§ Mr. THURTLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India the authority, whether statutory or by Regulation, under which the action of the Government of Burma in prohibiting the circulation of the "Forward" newspaper of Calcutta in its territory was taken; and if this action was authorised by the Secretary of State?
§ Earl WINTERTONAction was taken under Section 26 of the Indian Post Office Act, 1898. It was not authorised by my Noble Friend, nor was such authority required.
§ Mr. SCURRasked the Under-Secretary of State for India under what powers the Government responsible prohibited the introduction of the Calcutta 1747W newspaper "Forward" into Burma; for what period the ban has been imposed; and whether any steps have been taken by the Government to extend the ban to copies of the paper addressed to individual subscribers in Burma and despatched from Calcutta by mail?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe Government of Burma took action, under Section 26 of the Indian Post Office Act, which authorises the interception in the post and disposal in such manner as is thought fit of any articles in transmission by post, including, of course, those addressed to individuals. I am not in a position to make any statement regarding the period of the enforcement of the order.