§ 79. Sir JOHN LONSDALEasked the Postmaster-General (1) if he is aware that the admission of a learner to the post office at Poyntzpass, county Armagh, has been refused, unless the postmistress will give a guarantee of employment at the end of the learner period; if this restriction was imposed in the case of the learner at Poyntzpass who has just completed her time; if he is aware that the learner who is now refused admission is the daughter of a senior rural postman and a Protestant; and if he will state why this particular learner has been debarred from entry into the service, having regard to the fact that the learners at Poyntzpass have always been well taught and have never experienced difficulty in getting places; and (2) (80) Why the number of rural postmen at the Markethill Post Office, county Armagh, has been reduced from four to three, seeing that the result has been a delay of from four to six hours in the delivery of letters in many instances; upon whose recommendation was this change made; is he aware that the postman dispensed with is a Protestant and that his place has been given to a Roman Catholic; and if he will state the pay which each of these officers was receiving before the change and the pay which the present postman is receiving?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)I am having inquiry made in these matters.
§ Sir JOHN LONSDALEWill the right lion. Gentleman communicate to me the result of his inquiries?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELYes, I will.