HC Deb 24 July 1916 vol 84 cc1315-6
48. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Prime Minister whether the arbitration between the War Office and the National Relief Fund is now completed; and, if so, what amount the War Office is to repay the fund?

The PRIME MINISTER

No, Sir.

Mr. HOGGE

Can the right hon. Gentleman not let us know whether this arbitration is now completed in view of the fact that the Chancellor of the Exchequer made a statement outside the House the other day that he is going to give an extra £6,000,000? This money is due to them, and can the right hon. Gentleman let the House know when the War Office is going to pay the money back to this Committee?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am afraid I cannot fix a date. I will do all I can to hurry it on.

74 Sir C. KINLOCH COOKE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how much, if any, of the National Relief Fund has been expended in connection with the relief of men in the Royal Navy; and whether it is intended to repay the same so expended to that fund, and, if so, when?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)

We have no information as to expenditures from the National Relief Fund, except those already given in the published accounts. From this it appears that from the beginning of the War until 31st March, 1916, the total expenditure from the fund in relief of both naval and military cases was £2,624,249. It is not possible to distinguish money expended on relief for the Royal Navy from similar expenditure for the Army. There is no intention of refunding from Navy Votes the money thus expended, but arrangements are in force for recovery, in proper cases, from separation allowance payments, of sums advanced from the fund in anticipation of the issue of separation allowance.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is it not a fact that this money was contributed for civil and not for naval and military purposes?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I am not aware of that. I should have thought there could not have been very much expended on behalf of naval cases. Great care was taken to meet claims at the earliest possible opportunity.