§ 57. Mr. Skinnardasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is on the instructions of the Treasury that the War Damage Commission exclude, from cost of works claims, works which, while they did not formerly exist, do not change the form of hereditament and which local authorities insist shall form part of the repair of war damage.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallNo, Sir. The amount of a cost of works payment is determined by the War Damage Commission in accordance with the provisions of the War Damage Act.
§ Mr. SkinnardWill my right hon. Friend take steps to ensure that the War Damage Commission does not seek to extend the meaning of the word "form" when trying to arrive at a proper cost?
§ Mr. Glenvil HallI do not know that I really understand what my hon. Friend is asking. We have no power to direct 2005 the War Damage Commission to take the line he desires. It must work within the Act.
§ Mr. SkinnardWill the Financial Secretary try to persuade the War Damage Commission not to extend the meaning of the word "form" to include the technical terms "condition," "identical construction," and "identical ancillary works" for the purpose of arriving at "proper cost," which tend to give an additional cost on the actual building that is to be reconstructed?