§ 33. Mr. DUNCAN GRAHAMasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that under the provisions of the Irish Land (Provision for Sailors and Soldiers) Act, 1919, ex-Service men in Ireland who had served in the Great War were promised a cottage free of rent and two statute acres of land, and that by a recent decision of the Supreme Court of the Irish Free State ex-Service men in the Irish Free State have been confirmed in possession; will he state why ex-Service men in Northern Ireland have been, and are being, evicted; and will he take steps, by Regulations or otherwise, to ensure that no less favourable treatment will be given to ex-Service men in Northern Ireland than obtains in the Irish Free State?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, as the Act mentioned does not contain any promise of the kind suggested. The Irish Sailors' and Soldiers' Land Trust is being administered in Northern Ireland in accordance with the relevant Statutes, the interpretation of which, so far as Northern Ireland is concerned, is not affected by the recent decision of the Supreme Court of the Irish Free State.
§ Mr. GRAHAMMay I ask whether the Irish Free State Supreme Court has not decided that these cottages and land should be given rent free to ex-Service men to whom they were promised during the War?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThat may be so.
§ Mr. GRAHAMIf that is so, is there any reason why there should be a discrimination against ex-Service men in Northern Ireland?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI answered that question when I said that what happens in Northern Ireland is not affected by any decision of the Supreme Court of the Irish Free State. I am informed that 2003 certain tenants in Northern Ireland are bringing actions against the Trust in this matter, and it is therefore sub judice.
§ Mr. NEIL MACLEANIs it not rather peculiar that an Act of Parliament of this House to give land to ex-Service men in Ireland should be interpreted in one sense in one part of Ireland, and operated in that sense, and interpreted in a different sense in another part of Ireland, and acted upon in that sense? Cannot something be done by the Parliament which passed the Act to see that it is interpreted in the spirit in which it was passed by this House?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIf the hon. Member desires me to reply, there are, of course, many contrasts in this world about which we have our own opinion. As it is a question of the facts, I have stated them.
§ Mr. MACLEANBut facts which are laid down by an Act of Parliament cannot operate in one direction in one part of the country and in an entirely different direction in another part of the country?
§ Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXIs not the real position this, that the Irish Free State has defaulted; and is that any reason why Ulster should default as well?
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it not the case that the Ulster Government have defaulted to ex-Service men?