§ 35. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sum would be required to complete payment in full, on the basis of the Sumner Commission's assessments and recommendations, to the claimants admitted by that commission who have received only a portion of their assessments, taking into account the extent to which such claimants have received compensation from other sources?
§ Major ELLIOTThe sum required to carry out the course of action referred to in the question would be approximately £8,000,000.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEHas it been made clear to those claimants who had their claims originally passed that there is money available for them still?
§ Major ELLIOTI think that the money available must be subject to the general claims of the Reparations Account. It would not be fair that one set of claimants should have the money paid in full, and that another set should not.
§ 36. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the net amount, after taking credit for repayment of sums advanced on loan, which has been paid out ex gratia on claims admitted in accordance with recommendations of the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action; whether payments are still being made in respect of such claims; and what is the total sum paid out in respect of the claims known as the belated claims, which were outside the recommendations of the Royal Commission?
§ Major ELLIOTThe net amount paid to date on awards recommended by the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action, after deduction of amounts received by way of repayment of advances to claimants, is £4,004,287. The total amount paid to date on the claims known as the belated claims is,£288,895. Payments are still being made in a few exceptional cases.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNECan my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether the difference between the amount that he has given and the original sum of £5,000,000 voted by the House is available as a balance?
§ Major ELLIOTA small sum is available from which payments are still being made, but I could not say without notice how much it comes to.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEWill my right hon. and gallant Friend consider the desirability of making the position in regard to this matter clear to the House, as there are many people who feel very aggrieved? Whatever the facts may be, I suggest that it would be an advantage to have the position of these claimants made perfectly clear.
§ Major ELLIOTI shall note my hon. Friend's request.