asked the Secretary of State for Indusry if he will give a general direction to the Post Office to pay compensation to persons whose registered mail is wrongfully intercepted by the Governments of foreign countries to which the mail was sent.

No. Article 45 of the Universal Postal Convention to which almost all countries are signatories provides that postal administrations shall not be liable in respect of registered items confiscated or destroyed by the competent authorities in accordance with the laws of the country of destination.