1 Copy.
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 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 fact that when there were 1,800
prisoners in the Camp in July they were only allowed £4:10:0 while
with 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 this Camp— Lieut. J.T.
Burns (who has charge 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 in the Canteen a/c up to £25 for this
month, but we are not allowed to check accounts. (2)