HC Deb 07 March 1917 vol 91 cc390-1
67. Mr. FELL

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office when the damages done to the Woodberry Nursing Home at Hindhead by the military occupation will be paid; if a claim for £50 was sent in for ceilings of bedrooms ruined by football having been played in them, for planks having been torn up from the floors and burnt, as well as kitchen and garden chairs which were broken up and burnt, and pipes and drains which were choked by the things forced down them; if £20 was offered by the War Office in satisfaction of these damages and refused, if nothing has been paid to this date, the excuse given by the War Office being that the 8d. per day per soldier paid was sufficient to cover any such damages; and if £100 for damages was paid by the War Office to the owner of the school adjoining?

Mr. FORSTER

This case came before the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission, and £112 was claimed beyond what had already been received in respect of the occupation £222. After a full hearing, the Commission decided that the sum already paid—£222—was sufficient compensation for all loss and damage sustained by reason of the occupation.

Mr. FELL

Is not rent for occupation totally distinct from damages done by soldiers in occupation, and is it not a fact that no compensation has been paid for such damages, which are very substantial?

Mr. FORSTER

I cannot carry the matter beyond the Commission which inquired into all the facts and circumstances and made this award.

Mr. FELL

But they have made no award. That is the trouble. The £20 was offered and refused, and the £50 did not nearly cover the actual damage.

Colonel LOCKWOOD

Who is the chairman of the Commission?

Mr. FORSTER

I can only tell my hon. Friend (Mr. Fell) that the matter was referred by the War Office to this Commission, which was appointed to deal with this class of case. They have thoroughly investigated all the circumstances, as I have already informed my hon. Friend, and they considered that the sum paid was sufficient compensation for all the loss and damage sustained by reason of the occupation.

Mr. FELL

The rent has nothing to do with damage.

Mr. FORSTER

There is no question of rent.