79. Colonel NEWMANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the sum of £3,075,010, which is to be found by the British taxpayers for the next financial year in respect of criminal injuries (Ireland) compensation, etc., is in respect of injuries to person or to property; are the injuries for which the money is to he voted injuries inflicted before 11th July, 1921; and can he also say what total sum is being allocated under another Vote in respect of property losses (Ireland) compensation?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI have been asked to answer this question. In reply to the first two parts of the question I would refer the hon. and gallant member to the detailed Estimate for Unclassified Services which has been circulated to hon. Members since he put down this question In reply to the last part, the sum of £10,000 has been inserted in the Estimate for the Irish Department of the Colonial Office to provide for payments during the next financial year in respect of Property Losses (Ireland) Compensation. The hon. and gallant Member will no doubt have in mind that this provision is solely in respect of damage caused in the rebellion in Dublin of 1916.
Colonel NEWMANIs it the understanding with the Free State Government that a suns of at least £3,000,000 be paid by them in the financial year in respect of damage done to British interests?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe arrangement come to between the British Treasury and the Free State Government was stated in my speech the other day, and also in answer to the question. It is, obviously, an Estimate on both sides.
§ Sir F. BANBURYWill the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of withholding payment of this money until the Free State have found the money to pay for the property of the loyalists in Ireland which has been destroyed?