§ 47. Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that compensation decrees, given in October, 1921, by His Majesty's Judges for compensation for criminal injury to property in Ireland, which occurred in May, 1921, have proved in certain cases to be valueless under the Free State Government; and whether His Majesty's Government will afford some kind of compensation by an ex gratia payment in such cases?
The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Thomas)As the House is aware, all decrees awarded in undefended cases under the Malicious and Criminal Injuries Acts in respect of injuries to property prior to 11th July, 1921, are subject to review by the Compensation (Ireland) Commission, which was appointed jointly by His Majesty's Government and by the Government of the Irish Free State. I understand that in some cases the Commission has decided that the injury in respect of which the Court, in the absence of any defence, had awarded compensation was not in, fact a malicious and criminal injury within the meaning of those Acts. I regret that His Majesty's 16 Government could not undertake to supplement the awards of the Commission in such cases.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that decrees were awarded in October, 1921; and are they to be regarded as absolutely valueless—decrees given by His Majesty's Judges?
Mr. THOMASIf the hon. and gallant Member will put down that question, I will give him a definite answer on the point.