HC Deb 15 February 1926 vol 191 cc1544-5
86. Mr. LUNN

asked the. Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that a claim for £26,000 was recently made to the War Compensation Court by Colonel Gascoigne, of Parlington Park, Aberford, for the existence of the Barnbow munition factory on part of his estate; as the matter has since been settled out of court, will he state what is the amount to be paid to Colonel Gascoigne to settle his claim; and whether or not the amount paid to meet this particular claim is the whole of what has been, or is to be, paid to Colonel Gascoigne in connection with this munition factory?

Mr. McNEILL

The detailed claim originally submitted by Colonel Gascoigne to the War Compensation Court in respect of reinstatement of land, &c., amounted to £52,963. Subsequently Colonel Gascoigne decided to proceed not before the War Compensation Court, but before the Railway and Canal Commission, to which he submitted a claim amounting to £38,919 18s. 6d. After the case had been partially heard by the Commission, a settlement was arrived at under which Colonel Gascoigne receives a sum of £6,920, which includes all his costs, and is given railway sidings on the land and sundry buildings estimated to be worth £4,580. There is still one small matter outstanding in respect of a railway halt on Colonel Gascoigne's land, which was taken under agreement and not under the Defence of the Realm Act. This did not come within the jurisdiction of the Railway and Canal Commission, but forms the subject of negotiation between the Department and Colonel Gascoigne.

Mr. LUNN

Is the £6,000 which has been paid to Colonel Gascoigne the full sum which he will receive for the use of this land for the Barnbow munition factory?

Mr. McNEILL

As far as I am aware that is so, but I would not like to pledge myself without first having notice of the question.