asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can, consistently with the public interests, explain why a letter from the captain of a certain steamer, posted at Portsmouth on 21st January to his owner, R. P. Houston, 16, Leadenhall Street, London, was censored and not delivered until 25th January?

If my hon. Friend will be so good as to forward the envelope in which this letter was contained, I will be glad to have inquiries made, but without tie envelope it is impossible to say where or by whom the letter was censored.

Is it necessary to censor letters addressed to him?

I am not responsible for the censorship. That question should be addressed to the Under-Secretary of State for War; but if I get the envelope I will inquire.

Is it the practice to censor letters passing between correspondents in this country?

That is not a question which should be addressed to me. I am not the responsible authority. The question should be addressed to the Under-Secretary for War.

Is correspondence from one place to another in this Island censored?

That question should be addressed to the War Office.

The Parliamentary Secretary has no responsibility in this matter.