§ Mr. FITZPATRICKasked the Home Secretary if he will appoint a Committee, representing all parties in this House, to inquire into the allegations so continuously being made by the hon. Member for the Harbour Division of Dublin of cruelty and ill-treatment of Irish prisoners at Frongoch camp?
Mr. SAMUELI would refer the hon. Member to the written answer, which I gave last Tuesday to the hon. Member for the Harbour Division, with regard to the inspection of the camp at Frongoch, and to my remarks on the subject in the Debate last night. I do not think there is any need for the appointment of a Committee.
§ Mr. BYRNEasked the result of the courts-martial held at Frongoch on Tuesday, 17th instant; and if he will state the charge made against the prisoner Patrick Daly, and under what regulation the court-martial was held?
Mr. SAMUELDaly was charged with committing an offence, in that he, on 6th October, when a prisoner undergoing disciplinary detention, refused to clean his cell when ordered to do so. He was tried on the 17th instant, not by a 759W court-martial in the ordinary sense of the term, but by the Military Court which sits in all internment camps, under the authority of Royal Warrant, to hear discipline cases. The finding of the Court cannot be promulgated until it has been confirmed by the proper military authority. It has been forwarded for confirmation, but until the reply is received I am unable to state the finding.
§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Home Secretary if he has considered the advisability of dismissing the commandant at Frongoch Camp; if he is aware that the methods adopted by this man and his treatment of the untried Irish prisoners of war is likely to cause a riot; if he is aware that the treatment of the prisoners is causing dissension and bitterness in Ireland even amongst the bitterest opponents of those who took part in the rising; and if he will cause the prisoners to be removed to Reading or other suitable place?
§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that many books in Irish have been refused admission into Frongoch Camp and were not returned to the senders; if he is aware that one book in Irish, the New Testament, which was sent to an Irish prisoner, was found on a book-hawker's barrow in London; and if he will state who is responsible for such actions as this?
Mr. SAMUELThe answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. Books in Irish have been submitted to the Censor in London, but all the books so submitted have been passed and, I undestand, issued to the persons at Frongoch for whom they are intended.
§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on the 14th instant the Irish prisoners at Frongoch were supplied with a meat ration, 268 pounds of which the prisoners complained was bad and unfit for human consumption; if he is aware that when they complained about the bad smell of the meat they were ordered to wash it with vinegar and were told this process would remove the stench; if he is aware that this meat was offered to the soldiers, who refused it and handed it over for use by the Irish prisoners; if he is aware that when the Irish prisoners complained the adjutant was most abusive and insulting, and that, 760W as a result of a firm stand, the meat was inspected by the prison doctor and his assistant, who subsequently condemned 176 pounds of the meat as unfit for human consumption; and if he will say whether the commandant has yet been removed?
Mr. SAMUELI am informed that on the 14th instant part of the meat ration, which was found to be sour, was withdrawn and replaced by order of the commandant, whose attention had been directed to the matter. I am not aware of any foundation for the other allegations in the question, but am making inquiry.