§ 69. Sir JOHN BUTCHERasked the Home Secretary what steps have been taken by the Irish Free State to submit to arbitration the cases of poor rate collectors in Southern Ireland who were deprived of their positions under duress by local bodies or by the Irish Republican Army in 1920 and 1921; whether these promised arbitration proceedings have been commenced; and when the results will be made public?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)I have been asked to answer this question. His Majesty's Government is in communication with the Government of the Irish Free State on this subject; and I trust that it will be possible at an early date to reach a satisfactory settlement the result of which I will give my hon. and learned Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERIs the hon. Member aware that these unfortunate men were turned out of their positions by violence some two or three years ago without a farthing of compensation, and they have not yet received anything?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWhat jurisdiction or what authority have we over the Irish Free State in regard to these rate collectors, in view of your recent ruling, Mr. Speaker?
§ Mr. SPEAKERMy recollection is that we undertook some responsibility for civil servants. They were working under our authority before the transfer to the Free State took place, and I imagine that to be the ground.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThis arbitration deals entirely with these cases, and the correspondence has taken place between the Treasury here and the Treasury in Ireland.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill my hon. Friend do his best to get the Free State Government to come to an arbitration as soon as possible on this subject?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREEvery effort is being made in that direction.