§ Mr. WASONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty (1) if he is aware that the Admiralty required Messrs. Ritchie Brothers to remove from their home and business premises, and that they did remove on the 28th May, 1918; that the district valuer was instructed to value the premises, which valuation was accepted by Messrs. Ritchie Brothers on the understanding that they were to receive the settlement directly they removed, but that this agreement had been quite ignored by the Admiralty; if he is aware that on the 27th February the Admiralty agreed to deal with the claims on the basis of the applicants' entire rights, and the claims were sent to the Losses Commission; if he is aware that the Losses 1521W Commission repudiated any jurisdiction or authority to consider the claims; and whether, seeing that their agreed recognised claims are thus virtually repudiated, he will say what steps he proposes to take in this case;
(2) what compensation has been paid to Messrs. Ritchie Brothers, Little Houth, Orphir, in respect of their eviction from their house and business premises on the 28th May, 1918; if the Admiralty on the 5th December, 1918, suggested that the Ritchie claim for compensation might be based on reinstatement, which at the time was declined by the Ritchies, but now they are anxious to be reinstated in their home but can obtain no definite reply from the Admiralty; and if he will see that the injustice inflicted upon them will be removed as soon as possible?
§ Major-General SEELYI have been asked to reply to these questions. Terms have now been agreed with Messrs. Ritchie Brothers' agents, and payment is being made to-day. For an answer to the remainder of these questions I would -refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to him by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty on the 31st July and 19th August last.