HC Deb 25 April 1901 vol 92 c1339
MR. JOHN CAMPBELL

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if he can state the numbers, ranks, religious denominations, and salaries of the post office officials in the districts of Tynan and Middletown, county Armagh, and also the proportion which Roman Catholics bear to the remainder of the population in these districts.

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

The Postmaster General will ascertain and furnish the hon. Member with the numbers, ranks, and salaries of the post office officials in question. He does not, however, know anything as to the number of Roman Catholics in the districts named, and cannot undertake to make any inquiry on the subject.

MR. JOHN CAMPBELL

Am I right in saying there is not a single Roman Catholic among the officials?

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

Neither I nor the Postmaster General have any knowledge of the religious belief of any of the officials.

MR. JOHN CAMPBELL

But surely it would be possible to ascertain?

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

We do not think it would be proper to do so.