§ 61. Mr. GINNELLasked the Postmaster-General, in view of the inability of many old persons in the West of Ireland to understand or answer correctly queries addressed to them by postal officials in English in connection with old age pensions, whether he will have those standard queries printed in Irish in leaflet form to be answered in writing; and whether, in making postal appointments in those districts, a knowledge of Irish will be required of all candidates?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Captain Norton)I have obtained reports on this subject and cannot find that difficulty, such as the hon. Member suggests, is experienced at post offices in the West of Ireland in the transaction of old age pension business. I understand that the hon. Member has specially in mind the Galway Post Office, but I am informed that there are thirteen officers attached to that office who possess a knowledge of the Irish language. I can see no justification for the issue of leaflets, as 866 suggested, containing questions relating to old age pension business printed in Irish to be answered by pensioners in writing, or for requiring a knowledge of Irish from all candidates for postal appointments in the districts referred to by the hon. Member.