§ Mr. MACLEANasked the President of the Board of Trade the reason far the delay in paying the claims which have been scheduled as belated claims; whether he is aware that these claims are for damage done by enemy action during a war which ended in November, 1918; and whether he can hold out any hope that they will be paid shortly?
Mr. WEBBI would point out that the last day for receiving belated claims was 1st June, 1924, and claims were actually being received up to that date. They amounted to about 30,000, and I am unable to admit that there is ground for the criticism that undue delay is occurring in dealing with them. The examination of the claims is being proceeded with with all possible speed, and a considerable staff is wholly engaged upon it. Every endeavour is being made to have this work completed within four months from now, and the payment of claims will then be promptly begun.
§ Mr. HOGBINasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that claims for reparation made by ex-prisoners in Germany were assessed at figures considerably below the amounts claimed; whether the Government has received from Germany sums in excess of the total amount distributed in respect of reparations; if so, will a further distribution be made to claimants; and will ex-prisoners in Germany be included amongst 1980W those whose claims receive consideration in this respect?
Mr. WEBBAs to the first part of the question, in most cases the assessment made by the Royal Commission is lass than the amount claimed, but in a large proportion of the claims loss of wages or salary was the largest or the only item of claim, and such loss was held not to be within the terms of the Reparation Part of the Treaty of Versailles. As to the remaining parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Aston (Sir E. Cecil) by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 26th June, a copy of which I am sending him.