HC Deb 23 May 1946 vol 423 cc520-2
43. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is being done towards the reparation of the Channel Islands since the German occupation; if the States of Jersey and the States of Guernsey, respectively, have accepted the capital sums offered to them by His Majesty's Government for their economic reconstruction on an austerity basis; and what steps are being taken towards their permanent reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Mr. Ede

As this answer is necessarily long and detailed I will, with my hon. and learned Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Hughes

May I ask the Minister whether there is in operation a scheme of compensation for war damage in the Islands, and how it is financed?

Mr. Ede

I think an answer to that will be given in reply to the hon. and learned Gentleman's next Question.

Following is the answer:

I have recently been in the Islands, and from my personal observation can say that so much has been done that it is difficult to know what to select for mention. Wire, mines, and other relics of the German occupation have been widely removed; reconstruction of essential buildings has gone on; glasshouses have been repaired; hotels and boarding houses made ready for the reception of visitors; an intensive campaign launched against the Colorado beetle, which is such a menace to the potato crops in Jersey. The States of Jersey and of Guernsey have accepted, with warmly expressed gratitude, which was repeated to me personally at formal meetings of the States which I had the honor of attending and addressing, the assistance freely offered by His Majesty's Government in aid of the reduction of debt and of the economic reconstruction of the Islands.

With regard to permanent reconstruction and rehabilitation, I had opportunities in both Jersey and Guernsey of meeting all sorts and conditions of men and women engaged in different occupations, as well as administrators of the States and of the parishes. I had the privilege of attending, with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, a meeting of the municipality of St. Peter Port. Everywhere I found determination to overcome all obstacles to restoration, and, without any belittling of the heavy tasks ahead, an unfaltering belief in the social and economic advancement of the communities, whose individuals take pride in the fact that neither the blandishments nor the bullying of the invader could shake their loyalty to the Crown nor destroy their faith, in the ultimate victory of the British way of life with which they are proud to be identified.

44. Mr. Hector Huhges

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is being done to provide compensation to individuals who sustained loss by reason of the German occupation of the Channel Islands.

Mr. Ede

There is a scheme for repair and restoration of property lost or damaged in the Channel Islands during the German occupation. The scheme is not intended to provide compensation as such, but to assist in the restoration of the economic life of the Islands.

Mr. Hughes

What is being done to meet the hard cases of pensioners resident in the Islands who, during the German occupation, did not receive their pensions and had to borrow money from the banks at interest, and now have to repay the principal and interest?

Mr. Ede

That is a matter primarily for the Island authorities. I would not have thought it really arose out of the Question which the hon. and learned Gentleman put down, which, I assumed, related to material damage.