HC Deb 24 March 1937 vol 321 cc2893-4
60. Captain Heilgers

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that junior officers who lost all their kit and belongings in the fire at Tern Hill Air Force Station, on 7th October, 1936, are still awaiting information as to their claims for loss and have received no compensation beyond the temporary advances made immediately after the fire; and will he therefore take steps to expedite the payment of compensation?

Sir P. Sassoon

My hon. and gallant Friend will be aware from the correspondence which he has had with the Air Ministry that the claims for compensation to which he refers have been under active consideration, and I can assure him that everything is being done to expedite a decision. He will appreciate that detailed examination of the claims is necessary, and the advances to which he refers were specially made in order to prevent hardship. The case as a whole is not without its complications, but I hope that a decision will be reached very shortly.

Captain Heilgers

In view of the hardships that these young officers have suffered, will the right hon. Baronet consider instituting a standardised system of insurance to cover all service risks?

Sir P. Sassoon

Yes, I will consider that.