HC Deb 13 June 1917 vol 94 cc950-1
93. Mr. BYRNE

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware of the number of persons who suffered loss by the rising in Ireland and have not received any compensation; if he is aware that Mrs. O'Neill, 99, Marlborough Street, was ordered to leave her home by the military, and when she returned five days later found that her furniture had been removed to the streets to erect a barricade and was completely destroyed; if he is aware that owing to illness this lady failed to make her claim in time for consideration by the Property Losses Committee; and if he will see that her claim, and others of a similar nature, will now receive sympathetic consideration?

Mr. DUKE

This claim was received on 16th March last, when the Property Losses Committee had concluded their inquiries. They were therefore unable to deal with it Notices appeared in the Dublin daily papers last summer calling on all parties who had suffered loss during the rebellion to communicate at once with the Committee, and stating that the latest date for notifying claims was 12th August, 1916, and claims cannot now be considered. As I informed the hon. Member on the 24th May the Committee has ceased to exist.

Mr. BYRNE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are a number of these small cases in Dublin, where very great hardship exists at present, and that on a previous occasion it was stated that if claims were not in time, and where a reasonable excuse could be given, there would be reconsideration?

Mr. DUKE

This Committee has discharged its duties. It is impossible to set up committees from time to time in regard to such matters. I cannot hold out a hope that a new committee will be set up.

Mr. FLAVIN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of them are uneducated people, who never saw the advertisements in the paper? Will he personally consider applications from them?

Mr. DUKE

I am afraid it was not a question of education. It was notorious that this Committee was appointed almost immediately after I was appointed to the office I hold. It has been pursuing its duties with great publicity for many months.