Captain CRAIGasked what sums of money have been taken out of the Royal Irish Constabulary Canteen Fund for the last ten years, and for what purposes they were allocated?
Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary in what foodstuffs reductions in prices were made at the canteen, Royal Irish Constabulary depot, Phoenix Park, since the representations for reduction of prices were made by the wives of the men to the Inspector-General; what was the amount of the reduction in each case; whether those reductions were in proportion to the fall in the price of the articles in the open market; and whether the price of some articles of food is as dear, if not dearer, at the canteen than at grocers' shops outside?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe canteen fund is established for the exclusive benefit and convenience of the force, and I do not feel called upon to answer Parliamentary questions regarding the administration of a fund which is the private property of the1090W officers and men of the force, and not supported by public money. I have no control over and cannot regulate the prices fixed by the canteen committee. No injustice can be done to any one, as nobody is obliged to buy in the canteen.