§ MR. BOLAND (Kerry, S.)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the authorities in the General Post Office in Dublin, having first accepted a number of parcels from the Gaelic League on the evening of March 1st, sent an intimation to the secretary of the league that the Post Office could not accept the parcels as they were addressed in Irish; and will he state whether this action on the part of the authorities was in consequence of special instructions from himself, or was it taken without his knowledge.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDI beg also to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that numbers of parcels posted by the Gaelic League in Dublin containing material connected with the annual Irish Language Collection about to be held were returned by the Post Office authorities because they were addressed in Irish, and that in consequence the business of the Gaelic League has been impeded; and whether, seeing that an average of about 4,000 letters a week addressed in Irish are posted in Dublin and regularly delivered, will he give directions that the parcels in question be despatched in due course.
LORD STANLEYA large number of parcels posted by the Gaelic League in Dublin, and addressed in Irish, were recently returned to the league offices for 424 a translation of the addresses to be added in English. The course followed was in accordance with the official regulation which is published in the Post Office Guide in the following terms:—"The address of a parcel must be clearly written in English in characters in ordinary use in the United Kingdom. A parcel bearing an address otherwise written will not be accepted unless a translation of the address can be added." It is true that a large number of letters addressed in Irish are posted in Dublin, and it has been the practice, as far as possible, to add a translation of the address in English. But in view of the inconvenience, delay, and expense which is occasioned by this practice, I have grave doubt whether its continuance is justified, and the question is being further considered.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDIs it not the fact that an average of 4,000 letters a week are delivered in the ordinary course through the Post Office, addressed in Irish? I received a letter myself, posted in Colorado, the name and address on the envelope being in Irish.
LORD STANLEYYes, I believe the hon. Gentleman is correct. If I may say so, I have a great deal of sympathy with the objects of the Gaelic League in certain districts in Ireland, and I shall be very glad in those districts were Gaelic is used, as far as possible, to co-operate with them, but I hope they will not carry it to the extreme carried by the hon. Member of addressing me in Gaelic.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDThat must have been done by my hon. friend. I would ask the noble Lord whether he would not endeavour to have letters and parcels addressed in Irish delivered not only in Irish-speaking districts, but wherever they are sent to. Are not letters addressed in Welsh delivered?
LORD STANLEYI am making inquiries in regard to Welsh. I believe there are certain districts where letters in Welsh are delivered, but that it is not done in the larger centres. It is usual for the address to be put in English as well as Welsh.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDI beg to give notice that, on the earliest possible opportunity, I shall call attention to this 425 matter and to the action of the Post Office in endeavouring to thwart the efforts of the Gaelic League.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Is any difficulty whatever made by the Post Office in delivering letters here addressed in the German language and written in German characters?