§ 24. Colonel NEWMANasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give the total amount advanced by the Government of this country for the three months ending 31st March in respect of damage to property in the Irish Free State ascertained to be due to the British military action prior to 11th July, 1921; and will he say what sum has been paid as compensation for a like period by the Government of the Irish Free State for damage to property ascertained to be due to Irish military action in the territory of the present Irish Free State under the agreement recently arrived at between the Governments of the two countries?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)No refund has yet been made under the agreement referred to by the hon. and gallant Member, and I am not yet aware of the sum paid by the Free State Government in respect of the period mentioned. In this connection, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Memorandum on Compensation which was laid before Parliament last night.
§ Colonel NEWMANWould the hon. Gentleman let the House know what is the actual amount of cash advanced as compensation by the Government up to date?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREAfter all, it is only 10 days ago that the period was closed. The Commission has to report on the collective value of the claims outstanding and the amount paid, and then the refund is paid. The time has not yet elapsed for getting all these figures, and if the hon. and gallant Member will put down another question in about 10 days' time the figures will then be available.