HC Deb 28 November 1951 vol 494 c1492
16. Dr. Bennett

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when he expects to settle the outstanding claim in respect of chattels lost during the requisitioning of Bomb Ketch House, Hardway, Gosport, by his Department.

Mr. Birch

This claim was first made in 1941 and dealt with by the Headquarters of Balloon Command. As the Command has been disbanded and many of its papers destroyed, it has not been possible to establish from Royal Air Force sources whether the amount claimed is justified.

I am, however, having further investigations made, and I shall write to my honourable Friend as soon as I can.

Dr. Bennett

While thanking my hon. Friend for his reply, might I ask him whether he realises that this voluminous correspondence has gone on since February last, and has been almost entirely one-sided?

Mr. Birch

I am advised that the correspondence is likely soon to draw to a close.