asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the total of the claims presented by Irish subjects for damage to property caused by Sinn Fein forces; and how much has so far been paid by way of compensation?

I regret that I am not in a position to reply fully to the hon. Member's question. As regards the pre-Truce damage to property, I have no information as to the total amount of the claims made to the Compensation (Ireland) Commission. The number of such claims was approximately 37,000. The total amount of the awards of the Commission down to 30th June, 1924, is £6,081,469, and of this amount the Commission certified that £3,594,870 arose out of damage done by the forces or supporters of the Crown. It may therefore be assumed that the greater part (though not necessarily the whole) of this sum of £3,594,870 was payable to British subjects who are Irish Free State citizens, to whom I assume the hon. Member's question to refer. No doubt a considerable proportion of the balance was likewise payable to Irish Free State citizens, many of whom were of course supporters of the Crown forces in the disturbances prior to the Truce. I understand that all these awards have been paid except in so far as they are subject to a condition as to reinstatement. The total amount of the awards of the Commission made since 30th June, 1924, and paid by the Free State Government prior to 31st March last, is £216,235; but inasmuch as all these awards are payable by the Free State Government under the recent agreement, no apportionment of them has been made by the Commission. As regards post-Truce damage to property, the whole cost of which is borne by the Free State, the Minister of Finance recently stated in the Dail that the amount paid in cash down to 31st March last was £875,309. but this does not., of course, include the amount which was paid in Bonds. The cash expenditure for the year 1925–26 is estimated at £1,750,000, and this likewise includes nothing in respect of the issue of Bonds. I understand that the total number of claims made to the Courts is approximately 26,000, but I have no information as to the amount of such claims or as to how many of the claimants are citizens of the Irish Free State.