Captain CRAIG (for Mr. Fetherstonhaugh)asked in how many instances in Ireland are post offices conducted on licensed premises; has any step been taken to reduce the number of such public-house post offices; are old age pensions paid in all such offices, and has, in any instance since the passing of the Old Age Pensions Act, a licensed person been appointed postmaster or sub-postmaster, though there were other applicants for the post who were not licensed and had suitable premises; are licensed postmasters allowed to pay out old age pensions over one counter and receive the money for drink over another counter in the same shop; and, if not, what steps are taken to prevent such a proceeding?
§ Mr. SYDNEY BUXTONOne hundred and seventy-eight post offices in Ireland are now conducted on licensed premises, as compared with 197 a year ago, being a reduction of 19. Old age pensions are payable at all such offices. Since the passing of the Old Age Pensions Act, one 1101 licensed person has been appointed sub-postmaster; in this case there was no satisfactory alternative. In the great majority of cases the post office business is carried on in an apartment distinct from that used for the sale of drink.
§ Mr. JEREMIAH MacVEAGHWere the overwhelming majority of the publicans who were appointed postmasters appointed by the Tory Government?
§ Mr. SYDNEY BUXTONI have not got the figures.
§ Mr. SYDNEY BUXTONI am entirely in accord with the view which the hon. Gentleman has expressed. Except in very exceptional circumstances a sub-post office should not be on licensed premises. As far as I am concerned I have not made any such appointment except when I have not been able to obtain other applicants who were suitable.
§ Mr. SYDNEY BUXTONI have explained to the House the reasons why, to my great regret, I felt obliged to make that appointment.
§ Mr. JEREMIAH MacVEAGHWere the objections taken to the appointment of the postmaster in Ballintoy, first, that the man appointed was a Nationalist; and second, that he did not sell Dunville's whisky?
§ Mr. SYDNEY BUXTONI have explained to the House the reasons that necessitated that particular appointment. The latter part of the reasons for objecting to it had not occurred to me.