§ 23. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the Report issued by the committee appointed by the Irish Free State 610 Government to inquire into grievances of British ex-service men has been considered; whether it is proposed to act on the suggestion contained in paragraph 133 of that Report in regard to Lytton entrants transferred to the Irish Free State; and whether a formal claim for compensation or for re-entry to the British Civil Service has been received on behalf of those officers.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI have been asked to answer this question. A claim for compensation or for transfer to the Civil Service in this country, which has been made on behalf of Lytton entrants in the Irish Free State Civil Service, has been forwarded through His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State. The claim follows the lines of a suggestion in paragraph 133 of the Report of the Committee referred to in my hon. and gallant Friend's question. The matter is now under consideration, but on the information at present available to my right hon. Friend, he does not wish to hold out any hope of its being possible to take action in the direction desired.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs my right hon. Friend aware that these British ex-service men were transferred without the option of remaining in the British Civil Service, and do not come under Article 10 of the Treaty at all; and can he hold out some hope of compensation being given to them, as they are completely neglected by both sides?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe hon. and gallant Gentleman had better put down a further question to the Dominions Office, as obviously I cannot answer.
Mr. THOMASIn view of the change of front with regard to the Irish loyalists, is there no opportunity of the Government again changing their view?