§ 44. Mr. LYNCHasked the Postmaster-General whether instructions have been issued to post-offices in Ireland to refuse letters addressed in Irish; and, if so, whether there are thousands of people in Ireland to whom Irish is the native language and who know English only imperfectly or not at all; and whether he will make arrangements so that letters addressed in Irish may be duly distributed?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Captain Norton)No recent instructions have been issued on this subject. It has long been the rule that a parcel or registered letter addressed in characters other than those in ordinary use in the United Kingdom shall not be accepted. If any letter or small article which need not be handed over the counter is found in the post addressed in Irish (whether in Irish characters or not), it is sent to Dublin, unless the address for which it is intended can be ascertained at the office at which it is found.
§ Mr. J. O'CONNORIs it a fact that all parcels addressed in Irish to people in Ireland have been refused by the Post Office?
§ Captain NORTONFrom the answer I have just given that does not appear to be so.
§ Mr. MOORECan the hon. Gentleman say how many hon. Members below the Gangway have an elementary knowledge of the Irish alphabet?