HC Deb 07 May 1923 vol 163 cc1884-5
18. Colonel NEWMAN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that by recent and retrospective legislation of the Irish Free State the Wood Renton Compensation Commission set up by this House in conjunction with the Dail is left with no statutory authority, but only power to recommend payments for damage to property, and that those injured are expressly deprived of the power of taking any steps to recover or enforce payment of the amount of any decree; and is it the intention of the Government to seek to provide alternative rights or remedies in some statutory form to the injured person before the said legislation receives the assent of the Governor-General of the Irish Free State?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Subject to the observations that the Wood Renton Commission at no time had any statutory authority the answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; the reply to the second part is in the negative. The security for the awards of the Wood Renton Commission is the good faith of the two Governments by which it was appointed, and the provision of alternative remedies suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend is not practicable.

Colonel NEWMAN

I should like to have an answer: Is it a fact that Mr. Timothy Healy has already given his assent as Governor-General to the Bill?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I am not aware that that is so. I understand that the Senate has not yet finally considered the Amendments to the Amendment.

19. Colonel NEWMAN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, having regard to the number of refugees from the South of Ireland at present in this country who have obtained awards for compensation from the Wood Renton Commission, he will ascertain, now that awards for injury to property sustained before 11th July, 1921, have no statutory enforcement, but are ex gratiâ, whether the Free State Government are attaching to such ex gratiâ payments, when and if made, a prior liquidation by the holder of the award of any claims for arrears of Income Tax or local rates that may be made on him by the Inland Revenue or local authority of the Irish Free State?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I am informed that the Free State Government have not so far found it necessary to consider any question of withholding any award of compensation for injury to property sustained before 11th July, 1921, by reason of counter claims in respect of Income Tax or rates due by the claimant.

Sir W. DAVISON

Why have these claims not been liquidated?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I understand that payment is already going forward at an increasingly rapid rate.

Sir J. BUTCHER

Is my hon. Friend aware that nearly £1,500,000 is due on account of those pre-War injuries to property, which has not been paid?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I am fully aware of that.