HC Deb 05 March 1929 vol 226 cc200-1
45. Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will have circulated a White Paper giving the names of Irish Loyalist claimants and the amount claimed by each claimant as compensation before the next Supplementary Estimate is brought before the House?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Churchill)

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Aberdeen North (Mr. Benn) by the Secretary of State for the Dominions on the 28th February.

Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider giving, not the names, but the particulars, where the claim exceeds some amount, say, £10,000 or £20,000, of public money?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No. I consider that this matter has been definitely settled by the decision of the House, taken without a Division—not even challenged by a Division—and taken with the full knowledge that this nominal list would not be published.

Mr. WILLIAMS

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's own statement in the House a fortnight ago, when he said that the Treasury had no control or oversight over any of the claims, does he not think it is absolutely necessary that the names of claimants for over £1,000 should be communicated to the House?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I have resigned myself to submit to the decision which was taken with the full knowledge of all the circumstances.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that he has resigned himself absolutely to 283 Irish Loyalists?