HC Deb 09 September 1887 vol 321 cc11-2
MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that the rent paid to Mr. Peter M'Dermott for the Constabulary hut built upon his property in the parish of Convoy (Donegal) is only £1; what is the amount recovered from the men stationed there; and, what becomes of the balance over the £1 paid to M'Dermott?

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)

(who replied) said, that the rent paid to the landlord for the ground on which the hut was built was £1 10s. The cost of the hut itself, and the expenses of transit, were charged to the public. No payment was made to Mr. M'Dermott. The amount paid by the men was £13, the balance being applied to the general coat of accommodation. The Accommodation Fund would fall far short of the actual cost.

MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman inquire into the actual circumstances? Will he take into consideration the fact that while the whole valuation of the premises is only £1 the men stationed there were made to pay no less than 13 times the valuation; and will he see whether some deduction could not be made?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

I have stated that the rent is £1 10s., and the charge made to the men £13, and that the balance goes to the general Barrack Accommodation Fund.

MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR

Is it, then, proposed to continue to charge these men 13 times the valuation?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

These men are only temporarily stationed there.