MR. P. O'BRIENI beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will inquire if regiments stationed in Ireland are largely supplied with groceries and other dry goods, obtainable in Ireland, from the Army and Navy Stores, London; whether any, and, if so, how many, of the officers of regiments stationed in Ireland are shareholders and have other financial interests in the Army and Navy Stores; whether it has come to his knowledge that any officers so interested in the Army and Navy Stores have used their influence in their regiments to procure orders for Army supply from that establishment to the injury of Irish traders, who are taxed to support the British Army; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ * THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordThis matter was very carefully considered in 1890. I can only repeat what has been said by the Secretary of State. No complaints have been received on the subject. The canteens supplying groceries to the troops are managed by the regimental committees, who act independently of the War Office, and are free to obtain their supplies from whatsoever source they think fit.