§ 76. General McCALMONTasked the Pensions Minister whether his attention have been called to an appeal to America, under the title of the Shamrock Fund, which represents that maimed and disabled Irish soldiers are in urgent need of assistance, and which has been issued together with a schedule of alleged serious cases of neglect; whether this appeal has the sanction of the Ministry; and whether the necessity for such an appeal to another country is admitted?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENI am making inquiries.
§ General McCALMONTWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman take immediate action to prevent the publication of this very scandalous appeal in America at the very earliest possible moment?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENI am afraid that I have not got power to stop the publication of a document in America.
§ General McCALMONTHas the hon. and gallant Gentleman not got power to publish replies to statements as to cases of alleged neglect?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENI will take care that if misstatements are made suitable replies shall be published.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs it not the fact that this is not the only fund which is being raised for the same purpose, and that there are at least a half-dozen in this country?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENYes; but they are not, as I gather from the question raised, under the same pretext as this fund.
§ Sir J. DOUGHERTYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Shamrock Fund has been in existence for some years under the presidency of the Countess of Kingston, who has herself spent several months in America working in the interests of the fund, and can he say whether the proceeds which she collects are being administered by a representative committee for the benefit of maimed and disabled Irish soldiers?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENI am prepared to make full inquiry into this matter. Until I have the information it is impossible to make any further statement.
§ General McCALMONTIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that I made no reflection whatever on the fund or its collectors, but merely on the appeal that has been made for money in America?