HC Deb 11 December 1947 vol 445 cc1193-4
58 and 59. Mr. Janner

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what evidence does the War Damage Commission require before making a value payment under Part I of the War Damage Act, 1943; and how does the Commission ensure that the person who has the right to receive the value payment is in fact the person paid;

(2) when payment is made to the wrong person under Part I of the War Damage Act, 1943 whether his regulations cause such payment to operate as a bar to paying the person who has the right to receive the payment or whether it is the policy of the Commission in such circumstances always to pay the right person.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

The War Damage (Notification and Claims) Regulations under Section 31 of the War Damage Act, 1943 (Statutory Rules and Orders 1944, No. 816) prescribe the conditions which must be satisfied before a claimant has a right to receive a value payment. The action in any case of a second claimant after payment has been made would depend upon the circumstances of the particular case. My hon. Friend will be glad to learn that to date there has been no case of this nature.

Mr. Janner

Assuming a case of this description arises, is my right hon. Friend prepared to make a payment to the person who is really entitled to the claim if by a mistake of his Department the wrong person has been paid?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

The War Damage Commission naturally assures itself that the payment is made to the person entitled to it. If the full regulations were followed and an exact right to the title insisted upon in every case, I am assured that it would cost the individuals concerned, of which there are a great many, anything up to a quarter of a million pounds.

Mr. Janner

Why has my right hon. Friend suspended the very simple method of a certificate being obtained with regard to the title in view of the fact that it had been going on for quite a considerable time and has only been suspended during the last month or two.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

It was done by arrangement. Where we have any doubt at all, a certificate is asked for or the title demanded.