HC Deb 31 July 1905 vol 150 c950
MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether steps will be taken to withdraw the Post Office regulation to the effect that parcels addressed in Irish cannot be received except there is also an English translation, in view of the fact that letters addressed wholly in Irish are received at the various post offices and delivered.

LORD STANLEY

I see no ground for altering the rule in question. Parcels, unlike letters, have to be handed in at a post office, and it is reasonable that the opportunity should be taken of requiring the sender to give a translation of the address in English. If there is genuine difficulty on the part of the sender in furnishing a translation, the officer to whom a parcel is tendered may add it, if he can.

MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL

For what reason is a distinction drawn between letters and parcels? The former, if addressed in Irish, are delivered, the latter refused.

LORD STANLEY

Parcels have to be handed in over the counter. Both are delivered when the address is deciphered.