§ 23. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that the awards for malicious injuries to property, made by Lord Shaw's Commission, carry interest only from the date of such awards, whereas the original awards made in these cases carried interest at 5 per cent. from the date of such original awards, and that the claimants thereby, through no fault of their own, lose the interest on the amount of the new award for the period, 528 often amounting to nearly two years, between the date of the original award and the date of the new award; and whether he will take steps to remedy this cause of complaint?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt is the duty of the Commission to determine what compensation ought in reason and in fairness to be awarded in the cases which come before them, and I have no reason to suppose that in discharging that duty they fail to take into consideration the period of time which has elapsed between the injury and their award. His Majesty's Government can see no ground for any action on their part in the matter.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in making these awards, Lord Shaw's Commission adds to the amount of each award the proper amount of interest accruing under the Statute of 1920?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI cannot add anything to my reply.
§ Viscount EDNAMIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Lord Shaw's Commission did not make clear to the claimants that the previous interest which was due to them was included in the revised claims, and that this loss of 5 per cent. interest is interpreted as a breach of Clause 4 of the Criminal Injuries (Ireland) Act, 1920, in which it is clearly stated such interest is due?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI will bring these questions and answers under the notice of Lord Shaw's Commission.