§ 57. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that numbers of Irish residents whose houses have been burnt, and whose property has been destroyed by rebel forces in Ireland, have not yet received any sum whatever for compensation, and are consequently in great financial straits; whether he can at once make some interim payments to these victims of Irish disorder, and will accelerate the payment of the whole compensation; and whether he can state how soon these payments can be made?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies made a full statement regarding the arrangements for dealing with this matter on 24th February last, and I regret that I can add nothing thereto. I anticipate that the Commission referred to in that statement will be appointed and will begin its work at an early date. As I stated yesterday, my right hon. Friend hopes to announce the names of the members of the Commission on Monday.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the third part of the question, as to whether some interim payment cannot be made to the victims of these Irish outrages at once, inasmuch as these men or many of them are in great financial straits?
§ Sir MAURICE DOCKRELLWhen the right hon. Gentleman is announcing the names of the Commission, will he also give the terms of reference?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODIn reference to the question asked by the hon. Member for Rathmines (Sir M. Dockrell), I hope it will be possible to announce the terms of reference at the same time that it is possible to announce the names of the Commissioners. With reference to the question asked by the hon. Member for York, as I stated yesterday, the Government is now considering how it can meet very hard cases—and I regret there are many hard cases—of innocent people who have suffered owing to recent difficulties in Ireland.
§ Mr. DEVLINWill this Commission deal with claims from all parts of Ireland?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODIt is to deal with malicious injury claims from Southern Ireland only.
§ Mr. DEVLINWhy?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe reason is because an agreement has been come to between His Majesty's Government and the Government of Northern Ireland for the payment of a lump sum to the Government of Northern Ireland for cancellation of all claims against His Majesty's Government for malicious injuries in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. DEVLINDoes the right hon. Gentleman seriously suggest that the claims of the Northern Catholics are to be left entirely to the Northern Government, whereas in the South of Ireland an independent Commission is to be set up?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a new question, not arising here.