§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to an advertisement in the following terms which appeared in the "Belfast Evening Telegraph" of 21st May to the effect that the Post Office wanted immediately a young lady, Protestant, to take charge of sub-office, convenient to Belfast, sounder instrument and telephone used, state reference and salary, indoor, to Box 2742, E.T.; whether this advertisement was officially inserted by the Post Office or with its authority or consent, and, if not, whether he will take steps to find out by whom the advertisement was inserted and to what sub-office it refers; whether the making of employment in the Post Office conditional on the religion of the employé is in accordance with the official regulations; and whether, in view of the feeling of the Catholics in the Belfast district at what they take to be an official insult to their religion contained in this advertisement, he will state what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. BUXTONThis advertisement was not inserted by the Post Office, nor with its knowledge or consent. As I have often stated, there are no religious tests whatever for any appointment in my service, The advertisement refers doubtless to some vacancy for an assistant at a small office, who would be in the employment of the sub-postmaster; but I have not been able to discover by whom it was inserted.