§ 58. Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyreasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider introducing an amendment to Section 2 (1) (b) of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, so that claims for compensation in respect of requisitioned property shall be assessed on the basis of cost at the time when the repairs can be put in hand.
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir. The law provides that compensation shall be paid, whether or not the damage is made good, at the prices ruling at the date of derequisition. This seems to me reasonable.
§ Colonel Crosthwaite-EyreIs the Chancellor aware that the difference of over to per cent. between the compensation paid on identical properties if they were derequisitioned on 31st December, 1945, or 1st January, 1946, and the general increase in wages and cost of materials, create a serious hardship, and that this purely arbitrary action by the War Office makes a great difference to private individuals? Cannot something be done to remedy the position?
§ Mr. DaltonI will have another look at the matter, but I am inclined to think that the present arrangement is, on the whole, as reasonable as one can get. However, I will look at it again.