§ Captain LOSEBYasked the Home Secretary whether, seeing that under Section 1 of the indemnity Act, 1920, difficulties have arisen and are likely to arise whereby parties having claims against the Government may lose their rights through delay beyond the 31st August in the issue by the Attorney-General of his fiat giving permission to institute proceedings by a petition of right which has been lodged on or before the 31st August, being one year after the War, with the Secretary of State for the Home Department, steps can be taken either for the issue of the Attorney-General's fiat by the 31st August on all petitions lodged with the Secretary of State for the Home Department by that date, or to treat all petitions left or lodged with that Department by the 31st August as the presentation of the 1486W petition within the meaning of the Indemnity Act, 1920?
§ Sir E. POLLOCKThe question appears to be based upon a misconception. No difficulties have arisen or are likely to arise. Under Section 1 (1,b) of the indemnity Act a petition of right can be instituted within one year from the termination of the War, and Section 1, Subsection 2, of the Act provides that a petition shall be deemed to be instituted "at the date on which it is presented" that is, at the Home Office for the purpose of the fiat being granted—not on the date when the fiat is granted.