§ 74. Mr. PONSONBYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the case of Mr. W. Shakespeare, of Princess Street, Sheffield, who has claimed compensation for the death of his wife and the destruction of his house in an air raid in September, 1916, he will say whether this claim has yet been examined, and for what reason no compensation has yet, been received?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD OF TRADE (Viscount Wolmer)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In regard to the latter part of the question, under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles no compensation is payable in cases of death where dependency did not exist. The Royal Commission has not yet rendered its Report in regard to property claims.
75. Lieut. - Colonel Sir PHILIP RICHARDSONasked the President of the Hoard of Trade when the Reparation Claims Department will deal with claims in respect of damage sustained on land through enemy air raids in 1915?
§ Viscount WOLMERClaims in respect of death and injury to persons arc covered by the recent Report of the Royal Commission and payment. is now being made, and will shortly be completed. Property claims are now under consideration of the Royal Commission, but owing to their number and complexity some little time must elapse before their Report can be published.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINWhat does "some little time "mean, as it has already taken eight years?
§ Viscount WOLMERThe hon. Member is mistaken in thinking that it has taken the Royal Commission eight years. The Royal Commission was appointed little more than a year ago.