§ Sir J. REMNANTasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state what were the terms of the pensions awarded to resident magistrates in Ireland who were appointed from the Royal Irish Constabulary and subsequently retired on pension by the Irish Free State Government; and if he is aware that the pensions awarded are less than those awarded to other officers of the Royal Irish Constabulary who have similar length of service and who did not serve in the onerous office of resident magistrate?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREResident magistrates who, having been transferred to the Free State Government, have been discharged by that Government, are entitled, under Article 10 of the Treaty, to compensation not less favourable than that provided by Schedule 9 of the Government of Ireland Act, and those of them who have previous service in the Royal Irish Constabulary may include that service for the purpose of calculating 1313W their pensions. Of the seven resident magistrates who have previously served in the Royal Irish Constabulary all are entitled to higher compensation than would have been the case had they remained in the force without further promotion, and the two who have longest service as resident magistrates are entitled to higher compensation than if they had remained in the force and been promoted to the rank of county inspector.
§ Colonel MAURICE ALEXANDERasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state at what figure the total damage done in the South of Ireland before the truce is estimated, and what proportion of this sum represents damage done by agents of the Crown and will fall upon the British Treasury?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENo estimate has or can be made until the work of the Compensation (Ireland) Commission is complete. As I explained in answer to the hon. Member for Kensington South (Sir W. Davison) on 20th February, the Commission will report at the end of each quarter the aggregate amount of awards dealt with in the preceding quarter which represents damage done by the agents of the British Government and the supporters of Sinn Fein respectively. It is not possible to arrive yet at any figure giving what proportion of the total is likely to be found due to damage done by agents of the British Government.