§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when the special lodging allowance announced to the Irish prison officers on 13th June last is to be paid, 1328W and if there is to be a further delay in the matter; whether it is intended to give the officers alternate Sundays off in all the prisons; and whether farm-grown potatoes are being sold at £6 per ton at Maryborough Prison?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Treasury decision as regards the special lodging allowance has been received, and will be promulgated forthwith. As to the question of alternate Sundays off duty, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a question by the hon. Member for North Louth on the 30th July. The Prisons Board have not received any recent complaint in respect of this matter. The sale of potatoes at Maryborough Prison has been governed by market rates and the Food Controller's Regulations. Those last sold were disposed of to officers at the rate of £4 a ton.