§ Sir L. Lyleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the continued absence of serious raids, he will consider proceeding with the work of assessing the amounts of claims on properties totally destroyed by enemy action, in order to ease the task which will otherwise confront his Department at the end of hostilities, as well as easing the financial burdens of those whose incomes have suffered materially through such loss of property?
§ Sir K. WoodBefore determining the amounts of value payments, it is necessary for the War Damage Commission to classify, in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of the War Damage Act, 1941, each damaged property either as a total loss or as a partial loss. I understand that the Commission, notwithstanding that the number of claims for cost of works and temporary works payments received each week shows little, if any, falling off, has already in hand a comprehensive scheme for this classification and for the provisional assessment of the amount of the value payment in total loss cases. There are, however, certain technical difficulties which may make modification of the existing law desirable. This aspect of the matter is under consideration.