§ 12. Sir ROBERT HUTCHISONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is any method by which a seaman who has lost his kit and belongings owing to enemy action at sea during the War can now put forward a claim for compensation?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe scheme for giving compensation for effects lost through enemy action during the War was closed on 15th October, 1922, and the only cases which can now be considered 2003 are those in which there was an insurance policy under the Government scheme.
§ Sir R. HUTCHISONIs there no way by which a poor seaman who has not been able to enter his claim, may now register that claim when he finds out for the first time that such a claim is possible?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERAs my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, there was first an insurance scheme; secondly, there was a free compensation scheme; then there was the Sumner Commission, and in adddition to that, there was the arrangement for belated claims.
§ Mr. B. SMITHHas the sum of reparations which was agreed to between this country and the German Government ever been paid to the seamen?
Captain BENNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many seamen who are abroad and who do not read newspapers are not aware of these offers.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI do not think it would be possible within the limits of an answer to deal with these matters, but my hon. and gallant Friend will recollect that, in the first place, there were advertisements under the Sumner Commission. Then it was urged, with some reason, that many seamen had not seen these advertisements, and, in consequence, belated claims were admitted, and a long period was allowed for them, and very full advertisement given of them.