§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Postmaster-General why, in view of the fact that Her Majesty's Government do not recognise the illegal régime in Rhodesia, his Department offer and supply postal and telegraph services to the régime; and whether he will take action to prevent the seditious and treacherous paper, Rhodesia Commentary, being circulated in this country with the aid of the Post Office services.
§ Mr. Edward ShortThere is no necessary connection between the provision of postal and telegraph services to a given country and the recognition of that country's Government. In the case of Rhodesia, Her Majesty's Government have so far taken the view that the public interest is best served by the continued exchange of mail and telegraph services. As to the second part of his Question I would remind my hon. Friend that my predecessor and I have frequently assured the House that no mail is censored in this country. I do not propose to depart from those assurances on this occasion.