§ 41. Mr. ANDERSONasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware of complaints as to delay in dealing with hard cases by the Civil Liabilities Commissioners; whether he is aware that such matters as mortgage interest and insurance premiums, if they are to be satisfactorily arranged, must be capable of almost immediate adjustment; whether he will state how many cases have still to be dealt with and when decisions are likely to be reached; and whether he has considered the advisability of increasing the number of Commissioners?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Hayes Fisher)Additional Commissioners have been appointed, as the increasing numbers of applications have shown this to be necessary, and since the commencement of the scheme twenty-six new Commissioners have been appointed, making a total number of Commissioners of ninety-nine. As I stated on the 17th October, in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for the Mile End Division, in the few areas in which delay has arisen, owing to the exceptionally large numbers of applications, the arrears are being rapidly overtaken. The Commissioners had received 107,000 applications up to the 21st October; they have already dealt with over 86,500.
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThat matter is still under consideration by the Treasury.
§ Sir G. YOUNGERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is great delay in obtaining Grants which the Committee actually do make?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERA few cases in which there has been delay have been brought to my notice, but I do not think there is delay generally. I will inquire.