HC Deb 05 May 1949 vol 464 cc1186-7
4. Captain John Crowder

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the reason for the delay in the general payment of claims under the Business Scheme of Part II of the War Damage Act, 1943.

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Harold Wilson)

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon (Mr. Palmer).

Captain Crowder

But can the Minister say why these claims cannot be paid, now that they have been agreed, to ordinary business people not necessarily engaged in the export trade?

Mr. Wilson

As the hon. and gallant Member knows, payment can be made where undue hardship is involved, but it has been considered—and I am sure the House would agree—that to release all payments now would contribute to a dangerous inflationary situation.

Captain Crowder

Will the Minister pay the interest on claims that are overdue?

Mr. Wilson

I cannot answer that question.