§ MR. O'MALLEY (Galway, Connemara)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that an Irish speaker who required a postcard in the month of August last, at the post office of Clifden, Connemara, one of the most Irish-speaking districts of Ireland, had to draw a picture of the postcard before he could make the official understand what he required; whether any complaint was received on the subject; and can he say what steps will be taken to prevent the recurrence of such inconvenience to the public.
(Answered by Lord Stanley.) The hon. Member appears to have been misinformed. I find the fact is that last autumn a person who is described as an "Irish-Language Organiser," and who was able to speak English perfectly well, asked in Irish for a postcard, which was supplied to him as soon as the sub-postmaster guessed what he wanted. No picture was drawn, and no complaint made, except that the applicant abused the sub-postmaster. He subsequently conversed with him in English. The incident was not reported. It is not in my power to take steps which will prevent the manufacture of artificial grievances.