§ 58. Sir Robert Youngasked the Minister of Food on what date the valuation of the loss sustained by a member of the Orford and District Allotment Association, Lancashire, took place; whether the assessment of the loss was after the offers of £6 4s. in the first instance and of £10 in the second instance and on what basis were these offers made; and whether the estimated loss of £13 17s. 8½d. was known 1333 to the director, Meat and Livestock Division, when the lesser amounts were offered as a final and full settlement of the claim; and for what reason.
§ Sir B. SmithThe answer to the first and second parts of the Question is that the first valuation of the loss was made towards the end of October, 1944, before the offers of £6 4s. and £10 respectively. The answer to the third part is that the estimate of the loss at £13 17s. 8½d. was not made until 24th April, 1945, and was not known to the director, Meat and Livestock Division, when the lesser amounts were offered.
§ Sir R. YoungCan the right hon. Gentleman say why it was necessary for two assessments of this damage to be made, and how he assessed the damage owing to the produce consumed by the animals that broke into the allotments?
§ Sir B. SmithIn the first instance, it was an official of the Ministry of Agriculture who assessed the damage, and in the second, it was my man. He increased it to £14.