Mr. CATHCART WASONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty for what reason the claims of the fishermen whose nets and gear were injured during the Admiralty manœuvres have not been adjudicated and settled; if he will state who is responsible for the delay; or whether, in order to dissipate the feeling of unfair treatment that at present is evident, he will order an immediate inquiry and payment of all just claims?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to his question of the 16th January. Of 121 claims received from British fishermen, 96, involving a payment of over £2,500, have now been settled. Investigation of the remainder, as well as of fifteen received from foreign fishermen, is proceeding without any avoidable delay, and payment of such compensation as is considered equitable will be made in these cases also as soon as possible.