§ Sir JAMES AGG-GARDNERasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if any compensation has yet been paid to the cottagers at Beachley, Gloucestershire, who were ejected by the Government at eleven days' notice in September, 1917, or to the farmers at Tidenham, Gloucestershire, for the land commandeered by the Government for which the farmers have paid rent, or to the actual owners of the land thus commandeered for the Beachley docks; and whether this land will be retained by the Government after the War or be sold to private shipbuilding firms?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo payments have yet been made to the evicted cottagers at Beachley or to the farmers at Tidenham, 613W but compensation has been paid in respect of Tutshill House and of another farm owned by a Mrs. Curre. After repeated efforts to induce the agents acting for the various applicants to submit their claims, a letter was ultimately received from them confirming the settlements which had been arrived at, but it was found to be incorrect in many particulars. The agents were interviewed by an officer of the Director of Lands, and finally submitted a further letter of confirmation, and on this it is hoped that the settlement of all claims in respect of the occupied cottages, farms, etc., will be arrived at and payment made. With regard to the second part of the question, I have already stated that it is not possible to say what policy will be pursued with respect to the national shipyards until after the declaration of peace.