HC Deb 31 July 1923 vol 167 cc1248-9
13. Mr. PENNEFATHER

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that most of the 15,000 belated claims which have been lodged with the Reparation Claims Department were sent in by seafaring people in urgent need, he can assure the House that these claims will continue to be dealt with day by day and payments either in full or on account made with as little delay as possible?

Sir P. LLOYD-GREAME

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to the hon. Member for Birkenhead East (Mr. Graham White) on the I6th July and the hon. Member for Middlesbrough (Mr. T. Thomson) on the 24th July, of which I am sending him copies. As I have already stated to the House, each belated claim must be dealt with on its merits, and every step is being taken to expedite the work, and to put the Royal Commission in possession of the facts required to enable them to give their decisions.

Captain Viscount CURZON

Does this mean that the Commission are really going ahead with these reparation claims, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been very serious delay, and that men are suffering severely in consequence?

Sir P. LLOYD-GREAME

Yes, the Commission is going ahead, but I do not think there has been any delay on the part of the Commission. What happened was that the Commission made its Report on the cases which were before it, and after that Report was issued an enormous number of further claims was received.

Mr. STURROCK

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of these claims have already been lodged for over four years, and can he give any indication as to when these claims which are at present under consideration will be disposed of?

Sir P. LLOYD-GREAME

I could not accept the suggestion which was made by the hon. Member. The Commission, I think, dealt with all the claims which were before it in its first Report, and, while they are proceeding as rapidly as possible, I cannot say when they will have completed the remaining claims brought before them.

Mr. STURROCK

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I, last year, brought forward a case, to which his Noble colleague replied, a case which has been lodged for over four years, and which has not yet been dealt with?