§ MR. DILLONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether letters are still being opened in the Irish Post Office; and, if so, what precautions are taken to insure that they are not opened by subordinate officials for curiosity or with a dishonest purpose?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTThe Irish Post Office is not under my control, and if it were, for the reasons I have already given to the House, I should not feel it my duty to give the hon. Member any information on the subject.
§ MR. DILLONI put this Question to the Postmaster General a few days ago, and he referred me to the Home Secretary. If the Irish Post Office is not under the control of the Home Secretary, under whose control is it?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTIt is under the control of the Lord Lieutenant. The rest of the postal system of the United Kingdom is under the control of the Secretary of State; but whether the Question is asked with reference to the Irish Post Office or the English Post Office, the answer is the same. The Government would not feel justified in giving any answer to a Question of this kind.
§ MR. DILLONI will put the Question to the Chief Secretary for Ireland on Thursday next.