1 9/10/16 Q.F.B. 10/10/16
Irish Prisoners, Internment Camp, Frongoch, 9th October 1916. To Laurence J. Ginnell, Esq., B.A. B.L., M.P. Sir, We the undersigned being the duly elected leaders of the
above Camp would feel very much indebted to you if you could see
your way clear to having the following questions asked in
Parliament, at the earliest convenience :— (1) What is the percentage of the rebate allowed to the
Irish Prisoners in Frongoch on their purchases in the Camp Canteen?
Is the percentage of the rebate allowed supposed to be fixed at 10%?
And if so, are the Camp Leaders or Prisoners' Auditor allowed to
see the Canteen A/C each month. If not, why not, considering that
it is solely the Prisoners' money that is being dealt with? (3) How are the Prisoners to know that they are receiving a rebate
of 10% other than the system of merely letting the Leaders know
that they can draw on the Canteen Fund up to £10 per month (4) Is
it a fact that when there were 1,800 prisoners in the Camp in July
they were only allowed £4:10:0 while an average of 900 men
in August they received £10 and with 545 men in Sept. they also
received £10 (5) Why are not the Camp Leaders allowed to
purchase such goods as they think most suitable for the prisoners
in the way of food, tobacco, cigarettes, etc., considering that it is
solely the Prisoners' money? P.S. We would be glad if you would make inquiries
into the alleged connection of the Adjutant of the Camp — Lieut.
J.T. Burns (who has charged of the Canteen Fund) with the officer of
that name connected with the Lipton scandal some few years ago. 2 There are strong rumours concerning this; and certainly the
Adjutant is obviously an officer of much service and experience
for a mere Lieutenant. If this alleged connection is correct
it may have a pertinent bearing on the above questions.
Signed (5) 12/10/16
To A. Byrne Esq.
We have been informed by the Adjutant on yesterday,
11th inst. that we may draw on the Canteen a/c up to £25 for
this month, but we are not allowed to check accounts.