§ 19. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether ho has received a Report from the Irish Claims Compensation Association with reference to the provisions of the Damage to Property (Compensation) Bill, which has just passed the Lower House in the Irish Free State Parliament; whether he is aware that the provisions of this Bill do not carry out the understanding which was arrived at between the representatives of the British Government and the representatives of Southern Ireland at the time of the signing of the Treaty with regard to the payment of compensation for injuries to the lives and property of Southern loyalists; and, if so, what action he is taking in the matter?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second and third parts, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 12th instant to a question addressed to me by the hon. and gallant Member for Finchley.
§ Sir W. DAVISONDo the Government still recognise their moral obligation to see that adequate compensation is paid to these unfortunate loyalists?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThat is a question of the interpretation of words which must be addressed to the Prime Minister.