§ DR. ROBERT AMBROSE (Mayo, W.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General if he is aware that in October 1894 a complaint was lodged against the sub-postmaster of Ashleagh, County Mayo, that he had given the use of the 1625 post office room to the Church Mission Society for a night school; that he acted as reader to the church mission; that an inspector was sent down from Dublin to inquire into the matter; and that the sub-postmaster admitted being guilty of both offences; and, will he see that, the district in question being a purely Catholic one, the successor to the present sub-postmaster will also be a Catholic?
§ MR. W. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, I would like to ask him whether he does not consider it extremely undesirable to establish a sectarian test for official appointments in Ireland?
§ MR. ARNOLD MORLEYIn October last a complaint was made to the effect stated by the hon. Member. On inquiry it transpired that Mr. Courcey, who was acting as Postmaster during a vacancy, had lent the room, in which the post office duties were being temporarily carried on, to a benevolent lady for the purpose of holding a sewing class. No religious topics appear to have been introduced at the meetings; but as it was considered that a post office was not a proper place for such a purpose, the class was at once removed to other quarters.
§ DR. R. AMBROSEIs it not the fact that the Church Mission Society have already removed this Postmaster?
§ MR. ARNOLD MORLEYNo, I am not aware of that fact.