HC Deb 11 December 1922 vol 159 cc2349-51
18. Mr. PENNEFATHER

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Reparation Claims Department sent a postcard to Mr. James Hutton, of 56, Melbourne Street, Liverpool, on the 10th September, 1920, stating that his claims in regard to being torpedoed would have attention, but that this seaman has not since heard anything further during the last 27 months; and will he have inquiries made into the matter?

Sir P. LLOYD - GREAME

Mr. Button's claim will be dealt with in the first Interim Report of the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action. As soon as the Government receives this Report, steps will be taken to award compensation in accordance with the Royal Commission's recommendation. If it is suggested that Mr. Hutton should be treated specially on the ground that he is suffering exceptional hardship or urgent need, I am prepared to have inquiries made with a view to seeing whether any advance can properly be made to him.

Mr. HAYDAY

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many thousands of others there are who have been waiting an equally long time?

Mr. SPEAKER

That does not arise on this question.

26. Brigadier - General Sir OWEN THOMAS

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will order an inquiry into the case of those men permanently disabled by the rigour of their captivity in the desert, where for 21 weeks the Turks and Arabs detained them in a practically starving condition after they had got ashore from the wreck of their vessel, the London and North-Western Railway Company's steamer "Tara," of Holyhead, commandeered by the Government as a patrol boat; and is he aware that some of the men died in tins desert and on the way home after rescue as the result of starvation, and that the remainder, with a few exceptions, are physical wrecks, incapable of returning to full work for the rest of their lives, but ineligible for pensions in the ordinary way, notwithstanding their War service?

Sir P. LLOYD-GREAME

The cases of the men who lost their lives or were disabled as a result of their experiences after the s.s. "Tara" was sunk have been dealt with under the War Risks Compensation Scheme for the Mercantile Marine. Pensions are being paid in the case of a number of men who lost their lives, and disablement allowances are being paid in other cases. If the hon. and gallant Member has any particular case in mind in which death or disablement is regarded as due to the man's experiences after the "Tara" was sunk, and in which no compensation has been paid, I will have inquiries made into the case if he will send me full particulars.

Brigadier-General THOMAS

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that I am asking about the living, and not the dead?

Sir P. LLOYD-GREAME

My answer applies to both the living and the dead. If the hon. and gallant Member has any case which could properly have been dealt with under this scheme and has not been dealt with, I hope he will send it to me, and I will look into it.

72. Major - General Sir NEWTON MOORE

asked the Prime Minister whether the payments on account of awards for compensation which are to be made in the course of the next few months owing to the success of the Public Trustee in liquidating German property in this country are payments on account of civilian War damages; if he will say what amount is expected to be available for division: and what percentage of the claims admitted this represents?

Sir P. LLOYD-GREAME

I have been asked to reply. The payments which it is hoped to make shortly on account of claims for compensation are in respect of claims arising out of the treatment of British property in Germany under exceptional War measures. It has not yet been decided what dividend can be paid and it will of course be necessary to take into account the claims which have been lodged, but have not yet been assessed, as well as those which have been assessed.