§ Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that there is no precedent in which legislation by a Dominion has overridden and abolished statutory rights of British subjects which have accrued and become vested under legislation of the Imperial Parliament prior to the acquisition of Dominion status by such Dominion; and whether, under these circumstances, he will make representations to the Irish Free State requesting them to reconsider their action in abolishing the statutory vested right of British subjects to compensation for malicious injuries, under awards made before the ratification of the Treaty by the Imperial Parliament?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI am not aware of any exact precedent for the provision to which the hon. and learned Member refers, nor am I aware of any precedent for the circumstances giving rise to it. In view of the fact that by Article 7 of the Heads of Working Arrangements His Majesty's Government agreed in principle to this provision, on the ground that the rights in question were in fact unenforcable and were to be, and have been replaced by rights which are enforcable, my right hon. Friend is not prepared to make any representations such as are suggested in the last part of the question.
§ Mr. A. SOMERVILLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will present the fortnightly statement of the awards of compensation made in Dublin on account of destruction to property and injuries to persons in the Irish Free State which was promised?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe first detailed report has not yet been received, and I doubt whether, as it will consist merely of long lists of names and amounts, the expense of presentation will be justified. The summary which I have received shows that the total amount paid by the Free State Government in respect of Wood Renton Awards to 30th June was £1,216,877 16s. 9d. and for the fortnight ending 14th July was a further £141,558 1s. 9d.