War Losses, Burma (Irish Claimants)

Oral Answers to Questions — Trade and Commerce – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 22 February 1951.

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Photo of Mr Luke Teeling Mr Luke Teeling , Brighton, Pavilion 12:00, 22 February 1951

asked the President of the Board of Trade why residents in Southern Ireland who have been British subjects throughout their lives cannot obtain compensation in respect of loss of property while serving in the Burma campaign, although large grants have been made to rehabilitate the civilians of Burma who did not fight in the campaign.

Mr. H. Wilson:

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the Extended Far Eastern Private Chattels Scheme, which enables payment of limited amounts to be made to United Kingdom British subjects who lost private chattels in British and former British territories in the Far East as a result of the Japanese invasion and have returned to reside permanently in the United Kingdom. These are ex gratia payments made by the United Kingdom Government to enable people to re-establish themselves here and are not payable to persons who settle outside the United Kingdom.

Photo of Mr Luke Teeling Mr Luke Teeling , Brighton, Pavilion

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that when these people were taken off their jobs originally they were living in the United Kingdom, as it was then part of the United Kingdom? Does he not therefore think that at least an approach should be made to the Government of Southern Ireland to see whether some action can be taken to help these people, who are really suffering?

Mr. Wilson:

The hon. Gentleman is raising a very wide question. He will see from the answer which I have given that there is no payment as of right to any persons affected in this way and that the ex gratia payments are limited to those who have come back to the United Kingdom to live.

Photo of Mr Luke Teeling Mr Luke Teeling , Brighton, Pavilion

The right hon. Gentleman says that the payment is not of right, but it is given to all United Kingdom citizens because they lost their goods in fighting for our side.

Mr. Wilson:

It was given to enable those coming back here to settle in this country. In most cases they had lost all their chattels and possessions and these grants were made so that they could reestablish themselves in this country.