54. Colonel NEWMANasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether 661 he has any information with regard to the appointment of investigators to carry on the work of Lord Shaw's Commission during the suspension of its sittings; and, having regard to the fact that these investigators will be granted full powers to arrive at a settlement with those who hold decrees granted in the Irish County courts, will he say if the second interim Report of the Commission on the work it has been able to do will be published for the guidance of those who hold decrees and will now be called on to settle their claims with the investigators?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe sittings of the Commission have not been suspended, but are being carried on during Lord Shaw's absence by the two other Members of the Commission, who have full power to act and to make decisions. The investigators referred to, of whom five have already been appointed, are not empowered to effect settlements with claimants or to limit the discretion of the Commission by making decisions. Their functions are merely to investigate and to report to the Commission, who hold themselves free to accept, reject, or modify their recommendations. The reasons suggested by the hon. and gallant Member for the publication of the Commission's reports do not therefore exist, and on this point I have nothing to add to the reply which gave to the hon. and gallant Member on the 18th inst.
Colonel NEWMANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the last answer he gave me was that he asked me to put this question down again, and may I further ask who is appointing these investigators? Is it the members of the Commission, the Provisional Government, or the British Government?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe Commission themselves are appointing the investigators. With regard to the last answer that I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend, my memory is clear that it was quite a lengthy answer, and I pointed out to him that the Commission had the power to continue their sittings and to act.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo truth whatever.
§ Major MACKENZIE WOODIs it not possible to revert to the ordinary courts?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt would certainly not be possible to revert to the ordinary courts in the existing circumstances. If we wish to get the matter settled within a reasonable period, reversion to the ordinary courts will be absolutely out of the question.
Mr. J. JONESWill ordinary workmen, hundreds of whom have lost employment in consequence of disturbances in Southern Ireland, receive compensation as a consequence of the report of this Commission?
§ Mr. SPEAKERPerhaps the hon. Member will put that down. It does not arise out of the question on the Paper.
55. Colonel NEWMANasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the names and residences of the 10 holders of decrees for damage in respect of property whose cases Lord Shaw's Commission war; able to examine before the suspension of its sittings, together with the amounts for damage in each case as awarded by the Irish courts and the amounts as re-awarded by the Commission?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply on the subject of the publication of the Commission's Reports which I gave him on the 20th instant. It is not proposed to publish details of the Commission's findings in the thousands of cases which will come before them, and I see no ground of public interest, unless the House specially desires it, for singling out the first 10 cases for publication.
Colonel NEWMANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Lord Shaw himself said that on those 10 findings the great mass of the other findings would be based?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, but merely to publish the names of the 10 persons in regard to whom these findings have been made would not be helpful, without publishing all the details of the cases.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI say that I am advised that there is no special reason 663 for singling out these 10 particular cases and that it would be objectionable to the parties themselves, in all probability. At the same time, if there is a general wish on the part of the House that the labour and expense of printing should be undertaken and an invidious selection made—if I receive evidence of that desire, I shall be glad to consider it.
59. Colonel NEWMANasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in the 10 standard cases of decrees for malicious injuries to property adjudicated on by Lord Shaw's Commission, there has been inserted, in the case of a private residence, any conditions that the reduced sum as awarded shall be applied to the rebuilding and re-equipping of the property destroyed?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe answer is in the negative, nor should the hon. and gallant Member assume that every award made by the Commission is less than the amount previously awarded by the Courts.