HC Deb 12 March 1952 vol 497 cc1364-5
22. Sir Robert Grimston

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Malayan War Damage Commission is demanding fees, in connection with appeals against awards, to be received in Malaya within one month from the date of dispatch of demand from Kuala Lumpur, failure to comply in time resulting in loss of all rights of appeal; and if he will inquire into this, having regard to the very short time allowed for communications over long distances.

Mr. Lyttelton

Claimants outside Malaya are allowed one month from the date on which they receive the award to ask for a statement of the ground on which it was made. They have a further three months from the date on which they receive the assessment board's reasons to lodge an appeal. Fees are ascribed for both processes, as is usual and reasonable.

Sir R. Grimston

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have here a copy of a letter in which case one month was allowed, not from the date of the receipt of the letter, but from the date of the posting of the letter in Kuala Lumpur, and that that is too short a time to allow for communications to go backwards and forwards?

Mr. Lyttelton

I shall be glad to have any individual case investigated.