§ 13. Sir JOHN BUTCHERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in case of awards made in defended cases for compensation for malicious injuries to property sustained between 21st January, 1919, and 11th July, 1921, Lord Shaw's Commission has any jurisdiction to consider such cases; and how soon the compensation awarded in such cases will be paid?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. In reply to the second part, application for payment in such cases should be made to the Provisional Government.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERIn view of the fact that there is no chance of anything being done immediately, will the Government pay the long overdue claims, or a portion of them, and charge it to the Provisional Government later on?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI do not think that we can well assume that there is no chance of the Provisional Government paying, but we certainly shall not pay over the last sums which will be due until we are satisfied that a similar rate of payment is being made by the Provisional Government.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill the right hon. Gentleman pay these people something on account as many of them are in great distress?