HC Deb 18 January 1944 vol 396 cc27-8
42. Sir John Mellor

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the British Claims Commission will now accept responsibility to British claimants for the assessment and settlement of claims arising from personal injuries caused by American Army vehicles in the United Kingdom in the same manner as agriculural claims arising from American Army exercises.

Sir J. Grigg

I regret that I can add nothing at present to the reply which I gave my hon. Friend on 14th December. The matter is still under discussion with the State Department in Washington.

Sir Herbert Williams

Is it not a scandal that British subjects who have been killed or injured by American vehicles have no redress against anybody? Is it not time the British Government protected our own subjects?

Captain Strickland

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House as to what is holding up the negotiations?

Sir J. Grigg

I am not personally conducting the negotiations.