§ 18. Mr. Medlicottasked the Secretary of State for War how many claims in respect of requisitioned properties have been agreed but not paid; and what is the total amount still owing to owners of property in respect of or consequent upon military use or occupation.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe average number of claims which have been finally agreed and are in process of payment at any given current date is about 500, and this on the average represents a sum due to claimants of approximately £250,000.
§ Mr. MedlicottIs the Minister aware that there is often a delay of several months between the agreeing of the claim 973 and the receipt of the cheque by the owner of the property; and will he do everything possible, in consultation with the Treasury, to speed up the machinery of payment?
§ Mr. ShinwellI am informed that, generally speaking, the time taken between final agreement and the payment of the claim is about two and a half weeks, which does not seem unduly long. However, if it is thought that some further action should be taken, I will inquire further into the matter.