The Minister for Defence asks to be advised on the question, raised by the Deputy Chief Censor, whether all or any of the consular agents of foreign countries should be exempted from censorship of telegrams and correspondence.

A consul has not diplomatic status, and, in my opinion, no claim by consuls to exemption from censorship can be substantiated on the grounds of international law or practice.

Whether in any particular case the censorship should be relaxed is a matter for the Defence Department.

[Vol.13, p.258]

1. This opinion is unsigned in the Opinion Book, but it is attributed to Mr. Hughes.