62. Lieut.-Colonel Dowerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will authorise the immediate payment of the interest provided for by the War Damage Acts in respect of value payments which have been agreed with claimants.
§ Mr. DaltonSection 10 (5) of the War Damage Act. 1943, provides that interest on a value payment shall be payable when that payment is discharged. There is no power under the Act to authorise an earlier payment.
Lieut.-Colonel DowerWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that 50 per cent, of the funds were subscribed by the claimants in war damage contributions, that they require their legitimate claims to be paid in order to meet their rent obligations for alternative accommodation, and that some of them have waited 1690 over five years without receiving any consideration?
§ 67. Mr. Asshetonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the hardship suffered, he will consider introducing legislation for the payment of interest on cost-of-works war-damage claims until they can be paid.
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir. Cost of works claims are not due for payment until the work has been done and are paid as soon as possible thereafter.
§ Mr. AsshetonDoes the right hon. Gentleman remember the statement by the head of the Government of which he was a Member that we were all to share these losses between us?
§ Mr. DaltonYes, but I would point out to the right hon. Member that the Government under which he was at the Treasury made no provision for interest payments in this connection.
§ Mr. AsshetonIs it not the case that these payments were expected to be made more swiftly?