§ 30. Mr. GRAHAM WHITEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, 2112 in view of the Report of the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action, he will state the attitude of the Government towards the large number of belated claims?
§ 31. Sir ROBERT HAMILTONasked the President of the Board of Trade what action it is proposed to take with regard to belated claims for compensation for damage by enemy action, particularly with regard to claims sent in by seamen, through their unions, in ample time, but which have been treated as belated owing to the forms required by the Department not having been sent in till after the advertised time for closing the lists?
§ 32. Major BURNIEasked the Presi dent of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take to settle the belated claims of seamen and dependants referred to in the Report of the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action?
Mr. WEBBI will answer these questions together. The matter will be carefully considered and a statement made as soon as possible. I would add that, while I cannot say anything definite at present, I am hopeful in the matter.
§ Mr. WHITEIn view of the largo number of these belated claims, will the right hon. Gentleman give the House an early opportunity of expressing its opinion as to whether this further Vote should be given?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHWill the right hon Gentleman be able to make a statement on the subject if I raise it on the Motion for the Adjournment?
Mr. WEBBI cannot say at this moment. The hon. Member knows that certain forms have to be gone through but I can assure him, if he will have a little more patience—we have not been in office long—he will get the information. This is not a new question and if the hon. Member will have patience for a day or two I will get the information.
§ Mr. B. TURNERWhat has the President of the Board of Trade been saying? We have not heard a word on this bench.