§ 67. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEasked whether the entire cost of giving a public welcome to the First Lord of the Admiralty and his friends on his recent visit to Cork, including decorations, bands, vocalists, motor cars, lunch, and banquet, was paid for out of Harbour Dues; whether this included a banquet for 200, which cost £1 11s. 6d. per head; whether the total cost was approximately £500; and whether he will consider the propriety of checking such expenditure by means of audit by the Office of Public Works (Ireland), or otherwise?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have no knowledge of the matter referred to by the hon. Member, and no responsibility for expenditure incurred by the Cork Harbour authorities.
§ Mr. R. GWYNNEWill the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that on the occasion of the Prime Minister's forthcoming visit to Dublin no public money will be wasted in a similar way?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI cannot give any such assurance. The matter is entirely outside my Department.