§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the Prime Minister whether he will state the names of the gentlemen who inquired into and assessed compensation for bombardment losses in Hartlepool and Scarborough, and the terms of reference or instruction, 332W written or otherwise, given them as to the basis upon which they were empowered to award compensation?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe Committee consisted of the Right Hon. Lord Parmoor, K.C.V.O. (chairman); A. J. Ram, Esq., K.C.; Robert Lewis, Esq. Their terms of reference were to investigate the damage to persons and property sustained in the bombardment of the Hartlepools, Scarborough and Whitby by German warships, with a view to affording relief from Imperial funds to the persons affected, and their reference was subsequently extended so as to include damage sustained in various air raids down to the 17th June, 1915. The Treasury did not prescribe any basis upon which the Committee were empowered to award compensation. The question was not one of compensation but of relief, and the Grants were purely matters of grace and favour and not of legal right. The sums which the Committee recommended should be paid by way of relief in individual cases were approved by the Treasury.