HC Deb 23 November 1939 vol 353 c1445W
Mr. J. Morris

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that certain correspondence sent from this country to Switzerland has been examined by a German censor who obtained possession of such correspondence in Basle; and will he communicate to the Swiss authorities his desire that a stricter control be exercised at Basle, in order that British mail-bags will not in future get into the hands of the enemy?

Captain Waterhouse

I am aware that some letters recently sent from this country to Switzerland were opened by the German censor. It has not been possible to determine the exact circumstances in which these letters were diverted from their proper course, but my inquiries suggest that they were sent in error to a neutral country and reforwarded with the mails of that country to Switzerland by way of Germany. Instructions have been given to the staff that the greatest care must be exercised to avoid a recurrence of this mistake.