59 and 61. Mr. NUGENTasked (1) whether the Government have decided to pay compensation to the dependants of men, non-combatants, who were killed or disabled by the military in North King Street, and other areas in Dublin, during the recent disturbance; if not, whether the matter is receiving the consideration of the Government; when he will be in a position to make a definite statement on the matter; and (2) whether it is intended that compensation shall be paid by the Government to persons whose business has been injured or destroyed, or who have been unemployed as a result of their having been arrested merely on suspicion in connection with the recent disturbances in Dublin, and against whom no definite charge has been preferred or proven; and if he will state whether any means of redress will be afforded to persons who have been dismissed from their employment because of their arrest on suspicion by the military authorities, or who have been wrongly dismissed because of their alleged association with the Sinn Fein movement, and against whom these allegations have not been sustained?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir; apart from the provision of a State ex gratia 2693 Grant in respect of the destruction of buildings and their contents, it is not in contemplation by the Government to give financial aid on the lines suggested in the first part of the question, nor could the Government in any case take cognisance of dismissals from private employment.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMWill that apply to my Constituents, the Sherwood Foresters, who were murdered in Dublin in very large numbers?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThey were in the service of the Crown.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that they did not join the Army for the purpose of fighting in Ireland?
§ 64. Mr. DEVLINasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that it is proposed by Sir Robert Chalmers that English assessors only are to be brought over to assess the amounts of compensation to be allowed in the case of the Dublin disturbances; and whether, seeing that for many years insurance companies have practically ceased to employ assessors other than those in Ireland to adjust the claims upon them in that country, there is any special reason why this practice should be departed from by the Government in the present instance?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI understood that the selection of the assessors referred to, who are gentlemen of the highest reputation, and who are to sit under the chairmanship of a gentleman of wide business experience in Ireland, had been in substance agreed to. Perhaps my hon. Friend will put himself in communication with the Home Secretary.