Colonel NEWMANasked the Minister of Health whether he has received a claim from the urban district council of Finchley in respect of emergency work carried out by the council in connection with an enemy air-raid at Totteridge on 7th March, 1918, when damage was done to nearly 200 houses, and the clerk to the council was directed by telephone from the Government Committee to do all that was reasonably necessary to assist those in distress, and that any expenses so incurred would be met from Government funds; and will he recommend that the expense then incurred shall not be allowed to fall on the ratepayers of the district?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have received a letter from the Fincldey Urban District Council to the effect stated in the question, and I am informed that a grant was made out of the National Relief Fund for the assistance of persons in distress in consequence of the air raid. But the expenditure to which the district council refer in their letter was incurred in the erection of hoardings and similar work, and cannot be regarded as expenditure for the assistance of persons in distress. There are no Government funds from which the repayment of such expenditure could be made.