§ 40. Mr. WILLIAM YOUNGasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Messrs. Watson and Sons, contractors, of Perth City, have had certain monetary claims for work executed pending with the War Department since December, 1916, comprising settlement of balance of triennial contracts for four districts in Scotland and other building works executed during the War period to that date under the Scottish Command; that repeated applications have been made to the War Office for settlement and no satisfactory replies received; and whether he will now have the claims referred to inquired into and settled without further delay?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI understand that there are three claims in question, 1988 in two of which ex gratis payments were made in September, 1917, and January, 1918, and the other was the subject of an arbitrator's award about a year ago. Towards the end of last year, Messrs. Watson and Sons appealed against the rulings given and the claims have again been investigated, but so far no grounds for further payment have been disclosed. The consideration of the remaining points raised will, it is hoped, shortly be completed, and a final answer will be sent to Messrs. Watson and Sons at the earliest possible date.