§ 27. Mr. LYNCHasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the circumstances in which a soldier was billeted on Mr. John O'Dwyer, of Market Square, Kilrush, on the night of 1st July last; whether he is aware that, on account of the delicate state of health of a member of his family, Mr. O'Dwyer paid for lodgings elsewhere and incurred loss; whether he is aware that the some soldier was billeted on him again, arriving when the house had been closed and all the inmates were in bed; and, seeing that the exceptional powers of billeting are used by the police to cause annoyance to political opponents, whether any general instructions have been given to use billeting powers with tact and discretion?
§ Mr. FORSTERSpecial inquiry has been made into this matter, and as a result I am informed that a recruiting serjeant was billeted on Mr. John O'Dwyer, publican, of Kilrush, for three nights at the beginning of July. I am also informed that no member of the family of Mr. John O'Dwyer was sick, as has been stated to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. LYNCHWill the hon. Gentleman make inquiry and see whether the police are using these exceptional powers in a vexatious spirit, and, if so, will he put a stop to it?
§ Mr. FORSTERI have no reason to think that the police are acting otherwise than with perfect propriety.
§ 28. Mr. LYNCHasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is acquainted with the circumstances in which on two occasions parties of the Royal Munster Fusiliers were billeted at the house of Miss Kate M'Cormack, Irish House, Ennistymon, county Clare; whether he is aware that on the first occasion a price was agreed to and paid, but on the second occasion payment on the same scale, though at first agreed to, was subsequently to the event refused, the final payment involving also a reduction on the account already settled; whether he has considered the effect on recruiting of such proceedings; and whether he will do justice to Miss M'Cormack?
§ Mr. FORSTERI have already explained the position to the hon. Member. It is not admitted that any agreement was 8 made on the second occasion. The billeting took place under the Army Act, and only the legal amount can be paid.
§ Mr. LYNCHIs it admitted that there was an agreement upon the first occasion, and, if it is so admitted, as the money was actually paid, why was some part of that money deducted on account of a subsequent transaction?
§ Mr. FORSTERI think there was a deduction made in the first instance, as the hon. Member suggests, but the deduction was made by mistake, and the full amount was subsequently offered.
§ Mr. LYNCHWas not this transaction on the part of the War Office a cheating of this poor woman, who might not of herself be able to make complaint?