HC Deb 02 March 1903 vol 118 c1118
MR. CREAN (Cork, S. E.)

I beg to ask the Pos master General whether he is aware that an official in the Kinsale Post Office refused a parcel because the address on the parcel was in Irish; and whether, seeing that the official in question admitted that he knew Irish and could make out the destination of the parcel, such conduct of officials has the sanction of the Post Office authorities.

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

The official to whom the parcel to which the hon. Member refers was tendered, states that she could not decipher the address with any certainty, and in these circumstances she was justified in refusing to accept the parcel.

MR. JOHN O'DONNELL (Mayo, S.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman in future take steps to appoint to the Post Office only those who can read Irish?

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

No, Sir, I must decline to do that. I do not think it right to exclude from the Post Office services officials who cannot read Irish.

MR. CREAN

Did not this official admit that she understood the address?

MR. O'DONNELL

Is it not the fact that in Wales—

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The general question cannot be argued on a Question raising a specific case.

MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that owing to the strong feeling in Ireland that some facilities should be given in the Post Office—

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!