HC Deb 07 May 1957 vol 569 cc795-6
36 and 37. Mr. Philip Bell

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) the total amount claimed by employees of the Suez contracting companies for loss of personal effects and compensation for illness attributable to internment, respectively;

(2) the total amount settled by the assessors in respect of claims by employees of the Suez contracting companies for loss of personal effects and compensation for illness attributable to internment, respectively; and how much of such total amount has been paid.

Mr. John Hare

I understand that the total amount claimed by the employees of the contracting companies for loss of personal effects in Egypt—excluding bank balances, which amount to about £100,000—is about £500,000. The independent assessors have not yet reported on all the claims. No payments have yet been authorised. The companies are examining claims concerning illness attributed to internment. One ex gratia payment of £600 has been approved and four other cases are being sympathetically considered.

Mr. Bell

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that Answer, may I ask whether he can give any idea when the bill will be paid? I am sure he appreciates that there is a good deal of anxiety on this matter.

Mr. Hare

I cannot give any idea. All I can say is that I am urgently considering the representations which are being made, and I shall certainly do all that I can to arrive at an early settlement.

38. Mr. Philip Bell

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that military exigencies prevented a fair opportunity being given to employees of the Suez contracting companies to leave Egypt so as to avoid internment, he will compensate such employees for such internment, which was the direct result of the actions of Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. John Hare

I understand that employees whom the contracting companies engaged in the United Kingdom for service in Egypt have been given substantial payments on account of the premature termination of their employment. I do not think that further compensation on the grounds of their internment would be justified.

Mr. Bell

Has my right hon. Friend given serious consideration to this matter, taking into account that these employees were, in a sense, doing Government work and that their position was no doubt very much prejudiced by his office in that a number of them were reserve officers and often letters were sent to them marked "War Office", which made them easy prey for internment as soon as hostilities started?

Mr. Hare

I have considered all the various points and many others which my hon. and learned Friend has not mentioned. I think that these people have been treated fairly, although, naturally, I have great sympathy for them. They have been given a lump sum payment which, I think, has been fairly and generously worked out for them.