§ Mr. HOODasked the Postmaster-General (1) if there is any necessity for the continuance of the censorship of letters from the United States; and whether he can give an approximate date when such censorship will cease;(2) if he can give an approximate date when the use of private cable codes will again be permitted between Great Britain and the British Dominions and between Great Britain and the United States, so as to minimise the heavy cost of cabling under the present conditions, which constitutes a serious handicap to British trade?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 6th March to a question asked by the hon. Member for Montrose, to the effect that the Government is very desirous of abolishing the censorship as soon as it is possible to do so, but that it is obvious that, so long as the blockade exists, the censorship must be maintained. I regret that it is not possible at present to indicate1756W a date when this censorship can be withdrawn. With regard to the second question, the use of private codes cannot be permitted so long as it is necessary to maintain the censorship.