§ MR. SLOANTo ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in the case of finable letter and parcel mail irregularities in the Belfast Post Office fines are invariably inflicted; whether the postmaster has his authority for issuing instructions that this rule should be enforced without exception; and whether these irregularities may be punished other than by the payment of a fine.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) Fines for certain irregularities are imposed at Belfast and other offices in accordance with schedules issued from head-quarters and applied uniformly. I have no reason to think that the postmaster of Belfast enforces the rule in 252 an unreasonable manner. The general question of the system of punishment for these irregularities is under consideration.