§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)asked the Postmaster General, Whether letters from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, dated from Vice Regal Lodge, Dublin, relating solely to his Lordship's private business as a trader, have passed through the Post Office, during the month of June, marked "Dublin Official Paid;" whether there is more than one account of postage kept by the Dublin Office with the Lord Lieutenant; and, in either case, whether he will state how, on the Post Office accounts, actually official Correspondence is distinguished from correspondence confined to his Lordship's commercial business as a coal merchant; and, whether he will state against whom the postage is debited, and by whom actually paid, for letters so sent out by the Lord Lieutenant, and solely relating to his business as a trader?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL(Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)I have not any facilities for knowing the contents of the letters in question; but, if the hon. Member will place any specific information in my hands, I will make inquiry.
§ MR. BRADLAUGHsaid, he had placed the Question on the Paper a week ago, in order that the right hon. Gentleman might have an opportunity of ascertaining the facts. He would venture to ask whether a letter dated 29th June, signed by the Secretary to the Marquess of Londonderry, was sent by him to his Lordship's coal agent in London, and whether that was one of a series of letters?
§ MR. RAIKESsaid, perhaps the hon. Member would place that letter in his hands, and he would take care to ascertain whether the statement was correct.
§ MR. BRADLAUGHsaid, he would do so.
§ Subsequently,
§ MR. BRADLAUGHgave Notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory answer of the Postmaster General, he would call attention to the matter in Supply on the Vote for the Lord Lieutenant's salary.