§ Sir D. Thomsonasked the Minister of Information to what extent the overseas postal censorship still continues; and to which overseas countries this censorship-still continues.
§ Mr. E. J. WilliamsCensorship in this country of letters originating in or destined for the United Kingdom has now ceased except in the case of such correspondence to and from Bulgaria, China (Unoccupied), Portugal, Roumania, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. The latter censorship will cease within the next few weeks. The censorship permit system, which covers picture postcards, photographs, newspapers, parcels, etc., will cease on 25th August.
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§ Sir D. Thomsonasked the Minister of Information whether the censorship of letters and communications between places in the United Kingdom has now been totally suspended.
§ Mr. E. J. WilliamsYes, Sir.
§ Sir D. Thomsonasked the Minister of Information whether the monitoring and censorship of inland telephone conversations has now ceased.
§ Mr. E. J. WilliamsYes, Sir.
§ Mr. Bartlettasked the Minister of Information to what countries letters and Press messages can still not be despatched except after submission to censorship.
§ Mr. E. J. WilliamsAs regards censorship of letters, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of to-day's date to a Question by the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South (Sir D. Thomson). As regards Press censorship, the surrender of the Japanese military forces has not yet been completed and the machinery of Press censorship, like other military precautions, will continue until these forces cease to be capable of offensive action.
§ Major Haughtonasked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that the trunk telephone service between Great Britain and Northern Ireland is still subject to censorship; and, as the necessity for military security no longer exists, will he put an end to this practice.
§ Mr. E. J. WilliamsThe hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension. Censorship of telephone communications between Great Britain and Northern Ireland ceased on 7th June. If, however, the hon. Member has any specific case in mind and will furnish me with full particulars I shall be happy to have inquiries made.
§ Sir P. Macdonaldasked the Minister of Information, in view of the Japanese surrender and the fact that all Press censorship has ceased in the U.S.A., why such censorship is being continued in Great Britain; and when it is proposed that it should cease.
§ Mr. E. J. WilliamsThe surrender of the Japanese military forces has not yet been completed, and the machinery of Press censorship, like other military precautions, will continue until these forces cease to be capable of offensive action.