§ 57. Colonel HOWARD-BURY (for Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLE)asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs when it is proposed to pay the balances due on claims already decided by the Irish Grants Committee; and whether they will be paid with interest from the date of the loss sustained?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. Amery)As regards the first part of my hon. Friend's question, I would refer him to the statements made in this House by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and myself on February 20th and February 23rd last. At the present. stage of the work of the Irish Grants Committee, it is not possible to add anything to those statements. As regards the second part of the question, the sums paid to the applicants in respect of the Committee's recommendations are paid as ex gratia grants, and no interest is in any case payable in respect of such recommendations; but I understand that the Committee, in making their recommendations, take into account the whole of the circumstances, including the lapse of time which has occurred since the date of the injury.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYDoes my right hon. Friend think that the £1,000,000 that was awarded to those people will be sufficient to cover all the claims and have the payments made in full?
§ Mr. AMERYThe information at present available is not yet sufficient for me to give any answer to that question.