§ 29. Mr. THOMASasked the Postmaster-General whether the postal authorities at Derby are employing a man of Austrian birth as a letter-carrier; whether he has received any evidence that would justify this man because of his nationality being suspected; and whether he has received any communications from the citizens of Derby on the matter?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)The nationality of the man referred to is a matter of some doubt, but he is believed to have been born in Austria some thirty-six years ago, and to have been brought to this country as an infant. He states that he was abandoned by his parents when he was fourteen years of age, and has not since seen them. He has no knowledge of the German language, has been entirely educated in England, and has married an English woman. There is no reason to doubt his loyalty and trustworthiness. He performs his duty satisfactorily, and I do not propose, in the absence of any good grounds, to deprive him of his post office employment. My attention has been directed to-comments in the local Press on the case, but I have not received any representations from the citizens of Derby.