HC Deb 23 July 1923 vol 167 cc22-3
30. Sir JOHN BUTCHER

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the repeated pledges of the British Government to see that proper compensation, in accordance with Article 10 of the Treaty, is paid to ex-civil servants of the Crown, and in view also of the fact that frequent complaints are being made by such civil servants that the Irish Free State has refused to grant them the compensation to which they are entitled, he will appoint an advisory committee, with a judicial personage as its head, to advise the British Government whether such complaints are well founded or not?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

The hon. and learned Member has in previous questions brought to notice a certain number of complaints to the effect that the compensation awarded by the Committee presided over by Mr. Justice Wylie is not in accord with Article 10 of the Treaty; but, as I have explained in reply to his questions, I have no reason to suppose that those complaints are well founded, nor are the complaints which have been brought to my notice either numerous or frequent. As the right to compensation in accordance with Article 10 is a statutory right, I can see no ground for the appointment of a committee such as that suggested by the hon. and learned Member in the last part of his question.

Sir J. BUTCHER

In view of the fact that the Irish Free State Government have appointed a committee to inquire into the question of compensation to these ex-civil servants and to advise them, is it not right that the British Government, who are responsible, should also appoint their committee to advise them?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I do not think that that is possible. This being a statutory committee appointed by Statute, you cannot set up another committee to review the findings of a statutory committee.

Sir J. BUTCHER

How will the British Government know that their obligations are being faithfully fulfilled to these ex-civil servants if they do not appoint a committee? By what method are we to know that their obligations are being carried out?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

We have no reason to suppose—and I have taken the advice of the Treasury—that the Treaty has been broken by the Irish Free State Government.

Mr. MACPHERSON

Will the Under-Secretary call for a report of the findings of this committee?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

All the results and the findings are communicated to us, and the ex-civil servants themselves are represented on the committee.