§ 34 and 35. Sir John Mellorasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) why the Director of Navy Accounts has given notice to owners of requisitioned premises that, in future, rental compensation will not be paid unless they apply at the end of each period for which payment is due, giving full particulars upon a prescribed form; and whether he will give an assurance that money due unconditionally from his Department will be paid without the imposition of any condition;
(2) what steps he has taken to ensure that payments are made not later than the due dates in respect of requisitioned premises, since the Director of Navy Accounts has required application to be made upon Form 83 Ww-TRB at the end of each period for which rental compensation is due, and before payment each application is considered by D.N.A.7 (Bill Room), D.N.A. 6 (3c), Auditors, C.E. in C, and again by D.N.A. 7; and what necessary functions are performed by each of these authorities in regard to such applications.
§ The Civil Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Walter Edwards)The re-introduction of the notice referred to requiring periodic application for the payment of compensation rental, was made in order to minimise the possibility, at a time when properties are being released from requisition with great rapidity, that compensation rental might continue to be paid after it had in fact ceased to be payable. As regards the possibility of delay in payment, I think the hon. Member has perhaps been misled by the list of departmental authorities printed on the form to which he refers. This includes those to whom payments are referred for notation and scrutiny after they have actually been made. It has, however, now been decided to continue for the present, with appropriate safeguards, to make these payments without application, as actually done since 1942, and this will, I think, give the hon. Member the assurance for which he asks.
§ Sir J. MellorWhile I welcome the answer of the Civil Lord, may I ask whether owners will be informed that there is no need for them to fill up the forms already sent to them?
§ Mr. EdwardsYes, Sir, we shall take all possible steps to make that known to them.