41. Colonel NEWMANasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to a proclamation of the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State given on the 11th of this month by the Secretary to the Provisional Government 1495 that all proceedings in connection with claims in respect of malicious and criminal injuries in the High Court or County Courts must be immediately stayed; and will he say whether, having regard to the fact that the settlement of these claims is a matter to be dealt with between the Government of this country and of the Free State, this proclamation has been issued after consultation with His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have seen the proclamation in question. The proposal to which it relates, namely, that proceedings in respect of criminal injuries suffered during the recent period of acute conflict should be stayed, and that claims in respect of such injuries should be dealt with under special arrangements, has been the subject of agreement with the Provisional Government. The effect of this agreement will be fully explained in connection with the Indemnity Bill to be introduced at an early date.