Letter from Frongoch to Laurence J. Ginnell, 8 October 1916 Letters 1916-1923

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Letter from a group of Irish prisoners in Frongoch to Laurence Ginnell. The representatives want Ginnell to raise questions in parliament regarding the administration of a scheme in the camp whereby prisoners are entitled to a rebate of a percentage of what they have spent in the canteen. Frongoch Internment Camp in Wales was a makeshift prison used for the internment of approximately 1,800 Irishmen in the wake of the Easter Rising, 1916. It was to become known as the 'University of Revolution' because of the revolutionary nature of the inmates. Laurence Ginnell (1852 – 1923) was an Irish nationalist politician, lawyer, and member of parliament. He initially ran as a member of the Irish Parliamentary Party, but, from 1910 onward he ran as an Independent Nationalist.

 National Library of Ireland Art Ó Briain Papers, Collection List No. 150; Ms 8429/19-1 https://letters1916.ie/item/3960 English 1916-10-08 Frongach Prison, Wales Laurence Ginnell Easter Rising Ireland 1916 Politics

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 Copy. 9/10/16 Q.F.B 10/10/16. Irish Prisoners,Internment Camp,Frongoch, 9th October 1916. ToLaurence J. Ginnell, Esq., B.A., B.L., M.P. Sir, We the undersigned being the duly elected Leaders ofthe above Camp would feel very much indebted to you if you couldsee your way to having the following questions asked in Parliament,at the earliest convenience:- (1) What is the percentage of the rebate allowed to theIrish prisoners in Frongoch on their purchases in the CampCanteen? Is the percentage of the rebate allowed supposed to befixed at 10%? And if so, are the Camp Leaders or Prisoners'Auditor allowed to see the Canteen a/c each month. If not, whynot, considering that it is solely the Prisoners' money that isbeing dealt with? (3) How are the Prisoners to know that theyare receiving a rebate of 10% other than the system of merelyletting the Leaders know that they can draw on the Canteen Fundup to £10 per month (4) Is it fact that when there were 1,800prisoners in the Camp in July they were only allowed £4:10:0 whilewith an average of 900 men in August they received £10 and with545 men in Sept. they also received £10 (5) Why are not theCamp Leaders allowed to purchase such goods as they think mostsuitable 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 intothe alleged connection of the Adjutant of this Camp— Lieut. J.T.Burns (who has charge of the Canteen Fund) with the officer ofthat name connected with the Lipton scandal some few years ago. There are strong rumours concerning this; and certainly theAdjutant is obviously an officer of much service and experiencefor a mere Lieutenant. If this alleged connection is correctit 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, 11thinst. that we may draw in the Canteen a/c up to £25 for thismonth, but we are not allowed to check accounts. (2) Frongach Prison, Wales Letter from Frongoch to Laurence J. Ginnell, 8 October 1916 Laurence Ginnell Letter from Laurence Ginnell, 9 December 1915Letter from Laurence Ginnell to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 19 May 1916Letter from Francis Sheehy Skeffington to Laurence Ginnell, 24 January 1916 Letter from Francis Sheehy Skeffington to Laurence Ginnell, 13 February 1916Letter from Frongoch to Laurence J. Ginnell, 8 October 1916