§ 5. Mr. FIELDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, seeing that the increased allowance for boots for Irish prison warders, owing to the high cost of footwear, due to war conditions, is not now sufficient, he will now consider the advisability of making representation to the proper authority with a view to having this allowance substantially increased, so that they may not still sustain a loss by the deprivation of their former two free issues per annum; whether he is aware that an increased allowance for boots has recently been given to postmen; that Irish prison warders perform much longer hours of duty on foot than postmen, many of whom are provided with bicycles; and that the warders' allowance for boots is equally as inadequate as the postmen's was; and will be take steps to allay the discontent existing in the service on that account?
§ Mr. DUKEAs to the boot allowance for Irish prison officers, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer to his question on the 15th November. I have no information as to the boot allowance of postmen, but I may remind the hon. Member that prison officers have received an increase in war bonus to enable them to meet the increased cost of commodities due to war conditions.