§ Mr. CLOUGHasked the President of the Board of Trade how many claims for reparation for war damage have now been furnished to the Government; whether there is a time limit for such presentation; and what steps are being taken to expedite settlement?
§ Sir R. HORNEParticulars of loss or damage in some 28,000 cases are estimated to have been received up to the present by the Reparation Claims Department of the Board of Trade. These are confined to loss or damage suffered by civilians, and are exclusive of loss of or damage to ships and cargoes. I have no knowledge of the number of cases received by other Government Departments, such as the War Office, Admiralty, and Ministry of Shipping. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. Applicants are now being asked for further necessary particulars and for the verification thereof by Statutary Declaration, and every effort will be made to expedite the preparation of the British claim.