§ Mr. Dribergasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that officers concerned with the censorship of ratings' mail in an aircraft carrier, of whose identity he has been informed, have been instructed that letters addressed to Members of Parliament are to be held back for special scrutiny by the commanding officer; whether this instruction is based on a general order by his Department or is peculiar to the ship in question; and if he will at once put an end to a practice which must tend to limit the right of R.N. personnel to communicate freely with their Members of Parliament regarding any subject, including Service grievances.
Mr. AlexanderI have been unable in the time available to obtain a report from the ship in question confirming whether, or if so for what purpose, the alleged instruction has been given. If it has been issued, the instruction is not in accordance with any order by the Admiralty. As the House will be adjourning this week, I will communicate with the hon. Member when I have received the report from the ship.