§ Mr. H. A. Priceasked the President of the Board of Trade how much has been paid out of the £10 million grant made in July, 1949, to United Kingdom commercial and other interests which suffered war losses of property other than private chattels in Burma; and whether he expects to be able to distribute the balance in the near future.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftA first distribution made in 1950 absorbed £9,650,000. Since then, £181,000 has been distributed in respect of further applications received, leaving a balance at 30th June, 1952 of £169,000. In order that the distribution of the grant can be completed at a reasonably early date, it has been decided that no further application will be accepted after 31st October, 1952. It is expected that, after all applications received by that date have been dealt with, the218W balance remaining will be enough to enable a small final distribution to he made to all the participants.
§ Mr. H. A. Priceasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the progress of the schemes providing ex gratia payments for losses of private chattels in the Far East.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftYes. Under the original Far Eastern Private Chattels Scheme, which came into operation in 1946 and applies to former internees who suffered losses of private chattels anywhere in the Far East and who have returned to reside permanently in the United Kingdom, the total amount approved for payment to the 30th June, 1952, was £245,000 in respect of 1,190 applications.
The Extended Far Eastern Private Chattels Scheme, which came into operation in July, 1949, applies to United Kingdom British subjects who suffered losses of private chattels in British and former British territories in the Far East and who have returned, or intend to return, to reside permanently in the United Kingdom. Where an applicant is overseas but intends later to settle here permanently, the application is considered although payment of any amount approved is deferred. The total amount approved for payment to 30th June, 1952, under this scheme, including payments deferred until the applicants' return to the United Kingdom, was £1,616,000 in respect of 5,229 applications.
These schemes cannot be kept open indefinitely; and it has been decided, in order to finish off the work as soon as possible, that no claim will be considered after the 31st October, 1952.