§ Mr. ALBERYasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the situation in which many Irish Loyalists find themselves as a result of the delay in the consideration of their claims through the Irish Grants Committee and in view of the fact that this House will shortly be prorogued, he can now make some definite statement as to when the Government's consideration of this matter is expected to be completed?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, Sir. The Government have decided to apply to the recommendations of the Irish Grants Committee the same principle as was applied in the case of claims for compensation for suffering and damage by enemy action in the War which had been assessed by the Sumner Commission. That principle was to pay the first £250 of every assessment in full; on any excess over £250 up to £1,000, 50 per cent.; and on any excess over £1,000 up to £50,000, 30 per cent. Payment on this scale will accordingly be made immediately in all 575W cases as soon as they have been the subject of a recommendation by the Committee.