Colonel NEWMANasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether any agreement has been made with the Provisional Government or any other steps taken to provide that compensation should be paid to persons who have been compelled to leave Ireland or whose property has been confiscated owing to their loyalty to the Crown;
(2) if the British Government have agreed with the Provisional Government to have a tribunal set up in England to deal with claims for compensation in respect of injuries sustained since the 11th July, 1921, made by persons whose lives would be in danger if the cases were to be heard in Ireland; and, if not, how is it proposed that these cases should be dealt with?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREDiscussions have taken place between His Majesty's Government and the Provisional Government on the subject of claims in respect of post-truce damage and claims not provided for under existing statutes. It is anticipated that a comprehensive scheme to deal with this matter will shortly be produced by the Provisional Government, who are not in a position to pass legislation until the Bill now before Parliament has become law; and I have no doubt that the Provisional Government will bear in mind the possibility that for some time to come certain claimants will be unable to prosecute their claims personally in Ireland. Meanwhile, I am not in a position to give more detailed information regarding the points referred to by the hon. and gallant Member.
935W
Colonel NEWMANasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of applications for assistance received by the Irish Distress Committee; the amount disbursed in relief; and if he will also state the total advances made in respect of decrees or claims for compensation through the Irish Distress Committee since the re-organisation in July last announced to Parliament by the late Colonial Secretary on 17th July of this year?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe number of applications for assistance and advice received by the Committee is 1,927, and the amount disbursed in relief is £8,344 16s. 6d.; in addition to this sum the Committee has made loans without security amounting to £8,490. The number of advances made by the Irish Office on the security of decrees or claims for compensation in accordance with the arrangements announced by the late Colonial Secretary is 151, the total sum so advanced being £35,215.