§ MR. JOHN O'DONNELL (Mayo, S.)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the postmaster at Ballyhaunis has declined to cash a postal order for a gentleman named Francis Swift because the payee, who is an Irish speaker, and well known to the Post Office official there, affixed his signature to the order in Irish; whether the rules and regulations dealing with the cashing of postal orders specify in what language they should be receipted; and, if not, whether the postmaster referred to has exceeded his powers in refusing to pay the money.
LORD STANLEYA signature in Irish upon a postal order may be accepted if the postmaster is satisfied that it is the signature of the payee. In the case to which the hon. Member refers the postmaster was unable to read the signature upon the order, and the person who tendered it refused to give him either a written or a verbal translation. He was therefore justified in refusing payment under the regulations, which authorise a postmaster to refuse payment of a postal order until he is satisfied that it is signed by the payee
§ MR. JOHN O'DONNELLIs the noble Lord aware that Mr. Swift has been receiving a large number of letters addressed in Irish, and that they are regularly delivered to him?