HC Deb 29 May 1902 vol 108 cc911-2
MR. T. M. HEALY

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that on 1st July, 1899, when a Protestant replaced a Roman Catholic in Dundalk Post Office, the staff consisted of eleven Roman Catholics and nine Protestants; that since then thirteen Protestant assistants have been brought to Dundalk, and the applications of Roman Catholics for transfer to Dundalk have invariably been refused; is he aware that the staff in Dundalk Post Office now consists of thirteen Protestants and eight Roman Catholics (including two telegraphists temporarily absent in Africa, but paid from Dundalk), and that the three telegraph engineers in charge of Duldalk district are Englishmen and Protestants; and can he explain why, in a town more than three-fourths Roman Catholic, such denominational changes have been effected.

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

The Postmaster General has no knowledge of the religious belief of the staff employed in the Post Office at Dundalk.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Surely we are entitled to ask whether Catholics have applied to be transferred to Dundalk and been refused, while Protestants in less service have had their applications granted.

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

I do not think it is part of the Postmaster General's business to inquire into the religious opinions of Post Office servants. If a primâ facie case has been made out that any one has been unfairly treated, or that people have been appointed to posts for which they are not suited, there would be a case for an inquiry, and I am sure the Postmaster General would look into the matter.

MR. T. M. HEALY

What I want to know is whether Catholics have not got promotion which has been given to Protestants.

* MR. SPEAKER

said the Question had been answered.