HC Deb 16 July 1946 vol 425 cc1046-7
55. Mr. Robens

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the recent announcement by the Chairman of the War Damage Commission, he will state the amount up to date of the deficit on the war damage contributions to he. met direct by the Treasury.

Mr. Dalton

Up to 28th June, 1946, the payments under Part 1 of the War Damage Act exceeded the contributions by £173,600,000.

58. Mr. Manningham-Buller

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of value-payment claims have been finally agreed by the War Damage Commission with the parties concerned in the London region.

Mr. Dalton

About 17 per cent.

Earl Winterton

Would the right hon. Gentleman give careful consideration to the making of a statement at the commencement of the next Session, on the whole question of value payments, especially in the country districts, including the question of the interest owed on-those payments, which in some cases has been owed for six years?

Mr. Dalton

As I have several times stated in reply to Questions in the House, the question of these payments being. made depends partly on the danger of inflation being avoided, and, secondly, on the availability of supplies, so that those who receive the payments will be able to spend them effectively. Perhaps the noble Lord, when we reassemble, would put down a question, and I will be very glad to answer it.

Mr. Manningham-Buller

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the delay in making these value payments is causing great hardship to many individuals?

Mr. Dalton

The hon. and learned Gentleman asked with regard to London, and the answer is that which I have given him. Over the country as a whole 36 per cent. of the cases have now been agreed, but London is backward in this regard. In fairness to the War Damage Commission, I must also add that they are considerably handicapped by the slowness with which persons entitled to these value payments reply to correspondence in many cases; that is one of the factors which is holding us back. Our target is to settle the whole matter by the end of this year, when we hope to have no agreement incomplete.

Mr. Manningham-Buller

Would the right hon. Gentleman note that my Question referred to cases where payment had been agreed, whereas my supplementary question was to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that great hardship is caused by failure to make the payment of sums that have been agreed?

Mr. Dalton

That is a completely different question.