§ Sir W. DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in November, 1923, the Wood-Renton Commission awarded Mr. Henry V. Macnamara the sum of £4,450 for his house at Doolan, County Clare, which had been burnt down in the year 1921, five per cent. interest on the above amount to accrue until the date of payment; that neither principal nor interest have yet been paid, and that there are many other cases still awaiting payment in the same way; and what action the Colonial Office proposes to take in the matter, having regard to the precise assurances which have been given by the British Government in respect of payment for property which has been destroyed?
Mr. THOMASThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second and third parts, I am aware that in this and some other cases the Government of the Irish Free State has withheld payment of the sum awarded by the Commission pending a settlement by the claimant of outstanding liability for Income Tax. If the claimant disputes his liability for Income Tax, he should, of course, make representations to the Income Tax authorities in the usual manner, and Mr. Macnamara's solicitors have been so informed; but on the facts at present before me, I see no ground for intervention by His Majesty's Government. I should add that in the meanwhile the Irish Grants Committee has advanced £2,600 to Mr. Macnamara.