70. Mr. HICHAMasked the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that the Defence of the Realm War Losses Commission was appointed in order to prevent hardship to any of His Majesty's subjects through the operation of the Defence of the Realm Act, whether he is aware that applicants who have suffered direct and substantial loss have, in some cases, been ruined by the commandeering of certain commodities on which their businesses depended, have been refused compensation by the Commission on the ground that the interference of the State was indirect, and only those large companies, trusts, and others who controlled the commandeered article have received any consideration; whether, as the instructions to the Commissioners contained in the Royal Warrant make no distinction between direct and indirect interference, this differential treatment between His Majesty's subjects is with the knowledge and approval of His Majesty's Government; and, if so, what is being done to meet the hardships suffered by those whose claims have been refused by the Commission and who are not so well able to bear such losses as those to whom awards have been made?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe terms of reference to the Defence of the Realm Losses Royal Commission are not as stated by the hon. Member, but are
to inquire and determine, and to report what sums (in cases not otherwise provided for) ought in reason and fairness to be paid out of public funds to applicants (not being subjects of an enemy State) in respect of direct and substantial loss incurred and damage sustained by them by reason of interference with their property or business in the United Kingdom through the exercise by the Crown of its rights and duties in the defence of the realm.I am satisfied that every applicant who has suffered such direct and substantial loss who has come before the Commission has been granted adequate compensation in respect thereof. I am aware that certain applicants have been refused compensation on the ground that the interference of which they complained was not with their property or business but with 1897 the property or business of other firms or individuals with whom they had business connections which were adversely affected by such interference. This is in accordance with the Commission's interpretation of their terms of reference as expressed in their first Report, which has the entire approval of His Majesty's Government, and I am not prepared to advise any modification of those terms.