§ 45. Mr. SCURRasked the Prime Minister whether he has received a memorial from the Civilian War Claimants' Association asking for the appointment of a committee of this House to inquire into and report upon the claims that compensation for civilian damage should be a prior charge on reparations; and whether, in view of the suffering which has been caused to a large number of people by the non-settlement of their claims, and also in view of the support for the request accorded by 180 municipal and corporate bodies, he proposes to grant the petition of the memorialists?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have given careful consideration to the memorial referred to, but regret that I cannot accede thereto. It has been repeatedly stated in this House that the amounts already allocated for grants in respect of damage by enemy action must be regarded as maximum and final amounts. This is the definite decision of His Majesty's Government from which I am not prepared to recede.
§ Mr. B. PETOMay I ask the Prime Minister whether it is not a fact, that although this House granted an additional £300,000, no part of that has been expended, but, on the contrary, very nearly £500,000 is going to be returned to the Treasury?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should like notice of that question.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it not a fact that a pledge was given in the Government of which the Prime Minister was a member that these claimants would have first claim upon the £5,000,000 granted as first payment upon reparations from Germany?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not think that is quite the question which was asked, but. in any case, I am sending a reasoned reply to the memorial.
§ Mr. MACLEANWas not that pledge given, and the question follows whether you have kept your pledge?