§ MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that St. 462 Patrick's Day is now by law a public holiday in Ireland, he will give directions that the post offices in Ireland will be closed on that day, as on Christmas Day and Good Friday.
§ MR. CHARLES CRAIG (Antrim, S.)May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that in the North of Ireland St. Patrick's Day is not observed as a public holiday, that there is no demand for the closing of post offices, and that, as a matter of fact, the closing of public houses—of post offices I mean—would be a hardship upon the business men and traders of Belfast.
§ * MR. SPEAKERThat is a Question of which the hon. Member should give notice.
§ MR. FLAVINMay I ask whether the hon. Member wants the public houses open on St. Patrick's Day in the interests of Dunville's whiskey?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONSt. Patrick's Day, being a bank holiday, the ordinary bank holiday arrangements apply generally to post offices throughout Ireland as being more suitable than the Christmas Day and Good Friday arrangements.