57. Lieut.-Colonel SPENDER CLAYasked the Minister of Labour how many applications have been received for grants from the Civil Liabilities Department; how many claims have been met; and how many are still under consideration?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe total number of applications which have been received for grants from the Civil Liabilities Department since its inception up to and including 14th February, 1920, is 641,937, of which 473,937 were received under the 1916 scheme and 168,000 under the resettlement scheme. The number of grants made is 365,353. The number of applications awaiting consideration is 10,572. The balance represent "nil" grants and withdrawn applications. It is to be noted that of the 10.572 still under consideration, 5.353 were received in the week ending 14th February. The total amount paid out by the Department under the. 1916 scheme is £9,552,000, and under the resettlement scheme £1,576,300.
58. Lieut.-Colonel SPENDER CLAYasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the delay, amounting to several months, in settling claims by the Civil Liabilities Department: and whether steps are being taken to hasten decisions with regard to grants for re-starting pre-war businesses?
§ Sir R. HORNEI am aware that for a variety of reasons delay has occurred in settling claims in this Department in the past, but the machinery has been entirely reorganised and applications are now-being dealt with expeditiously.