§ MR. SAMUEL YOUNG (Cavan, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, with reference to the Belfast Post Office, whether he is aware that there is a town delivery of letters and papers every Christmas Day, and that no such delivery is made on Sundays; how many officials are engaged in sorting and looking after letters every Sunday in this post office; how many persons have private boxes therein from which letters are given to their messengers who call for same; and whether he will consider the desirability of extending to the city of Belfast at least one Sunday delivery of letters, as in other towns in Ireland.
§ MR. WILLIAM JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)Has there been any general expression of opinion in Belfast in favour of the Sunday opening of the post office, or is it desired only by the publicans?
§ MR. HANBURYThere is no delivery of letters by postmen at Belfast on Sunday, but letters are delivered to callers at the post office from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. One delivery is made by postmen on Christmas Day, in accordance with the usual rule at all towns, whether having a Sunday delivery or not. The number of officers engaged in dealing with letters at the Belfast Post Office on Sunday is thirty-four. The number of persons having private boxes and calling regularly for their letters on that day is ten. As regards the question of affording a Sunday house to house delivery at Belfast, it is the general practice to consider the question of altering existing Sunday arrangements at provincial towns or cities only upon application being made to that effect by the local authority, and that has not been made in this case.