§ 41. Mr. William Teelingasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the claim of the Kemp Town Enclosures against his Department for damage done to the slopes opposite Sussex Square, Brighton, has now been awaiting settlement since 1945, and that his Department have now announced that there will be further delay since their representative who has been dealing with it has gone to New Zealand; and whether he will hasten a decision.
§ Mr. ShinwellA claim was received on 30th April, 1946, and part of it was settled some time ago. Some delay occurred in reaching a final assessment of the remainder owing to the absence of certain details; the facts required from the claimant were received on 23rd August, 1948. Some negotiation or discussion with the claimant's agent is still necessary before a final settlement can be reached.
§ Mr. TeelingIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that some 20 letters have passed between the Department and the Kemp Town Enclosures Committee since then, that the gentleman who has gone to New Zealand left only some notes behind, and that the Department has stated:
The Department has experienced much change in area officers and in personnel, and that if the documents have been mislaid, would the Committee supply them again?Does he realise that we want to get our town cleared up quickly, and cannot the right hon. Gentleman do something about it?
§ Mr. ShinwellOn the whole, it does not seem unreasonable. It is true that the claim was received in April, 1946, but part of that claim was settled some time ago. But the facts we required were received only on 23rd August, 1948, and it is obvious that we must have some negotiation and discussion before we can wind up this claim.
§ Mr. TeelingIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the last letter received from the Department it says that all the forms have been mislaid and cannot be found?
§ Mr. ShinwellI will take note of what the hon. Member has said.