HC Deb 18 March 1929 vol 226 cc1483-5
16. Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been called to the fact that by an award of the Wood Renton Commission, dated 9th November, 1925, the sum of £5,330, with a reinstatement condition, was awarded to the Commissioners of the Admiralty and the Commissioners of Public Works (Ireland) as compensation for the malicious destruction of the Morris Castle coastguard station, in the County of Wexford, on the 7th July, 1921, held by the Admiralty as tenants to Colonel Bryan, in lieu and satisfaction of a County Court decree, dated 18th October, 1921, for £7,300; that the Commissioners of Public Works, Ireland, who are the successors of the Commissioners of the Admiralty, have refused to apply the said sum of £5,330 awarded by the said Commission in reinstating the premises or to pay the same to the landlord; and whether representations will be made to the Free State Government to ensure that the reinstatement condition attached to the award by the Commission is carried out?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend's attention has been called to this case. On the facts stated in the question it would not appear that Colonel Bryan has any interests in the award of the Compensation (Ireland) Commission, and there would not therefore seem to be any ground on which representations could properly be made on his behalf by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom to His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State. My right hon. Friend could not of course undertake to express any opinion upon the position as between lessor and tenant, which is purely a matter of law.

Sir W. DAVISON

Is it not a fact that this large sum of British money was given on the express terms that the property should be reinstated? Why should the Free State Government be allowed to put this money into their pockets without reinstating the property for which the money was given?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I am not familiar with the exact details or whether my hon. Friend is describing the facts at all accurately. I understand that the award for the destruction of this property, which was Government property, was made to the Free State Government on condition of rebuilding. The Free State Government say that there is no point in rebuilding, and that they do not require this coastguard station, and therefore the compensation lapses altogether and no money passes.

Sir W. DAVISON

Are the British Government not paying this money at all? I understood it had been paid over.

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I understood not.