§ MR. COX (Clare, E.)asked the Postmaster General, Whether there is any Rule of the Post Office prohibiting the use of a public-house as a rural post office?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University), in reply, said, as a rule, a post office was not kept at a public-house if any other suitable place for it could be found.
§ MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many post offices kept at public-houses in Ireland?
§ MR. RAIKESsaid, he believed there were post offices kept at public-houses in Ireland as at grocers' shops in Scotland, which were somewhat similar establishments, in many parts of the country. But those were established before he entered Office, and the Rules might not have been so strictly observed; 672 but he intended to administer them as strictly as he could.
§ MR. COXIf I bring under the right hon. Gentleman's notice a publican who has recently been appointed a rural postmaster in Ireland, will he have the post office changed?
§ MR. RAIKESI cannot say that; but I will inquire into the case?
§ MR. WALLACE (Edinburgh, E.)On what ground does the right hon. Gentleman say that grocers' shops in Scotland are similar to public-houses in England and Ireland?
§ MR. RAIKESI made the statement, Sir, on the authority of a recent deputation to me, largely composed of Nonconformist ministers.
§ MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)?Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the post office at Rathmines is kept at The Freeman's Journal office?
§ [No reply.]