§ 26. Mr. McKayasked the Minister of Works when the payment of £234 plus architect's fees, agreed by both parties in August 1947, will be made to the Gosforth resident, particulars of whose case have been sent him, who had his house damaged by opencast coal working two years ago; and what is the reason for the long delay between the agreement upon the sum and its payment.
§ Mr. KeyPayment of this amount, which was agreed in August, 1948, was made on 31st March. I very much regret the delay, which has been due to the great pressure of work on the staff of my Newcastle Office who have had to deal with a very large number of claims of this kind.