§ Major COPEasked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether he is aware that the Buttrills recreation ground, Barry, Glamorgan, has been in occupation by the War Office since October, 1914; that in August last, the Barry urban district council made a claim of £1,516 for the reinstatement of the ground, and also for the interest of nearly £330 per annum which the council has been paying during the occupation on money which was borrowed for the purchase and fencing of the ground of which, during the occupation, it has been deprived of the use; if so, why no payment has yet been made to the council; is he aware that this ground has now been compulsorily acquired by His Majesty's Office of Works on behalf of the Ministry of Pensions; and, in view of this fact, will he undertake to arrange for the settlement of the claim against his Department before the occupation by another Government Department commences?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONThe claim of the Barry Urban District Council in respect of interest upon the money borrowed for the purchase price and the fencing of the land is dated 1st December, 1919. 1435W Negotiations and inquiries followed, and as the Department found itself unable to recommend the sum claimed to be paid, the claim will be sent to the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission for decision; it is hoped to do this in a few days. As regards the claim for re-instatement of the ground, the ground has been requisitioned by His Majesty's Office of Works for the use of the Ministry of Pensions, this requisition following immediately upon the cesser of the occupation by the War Department. The Barry Urban District Council are, and will be, under no loss on this head until the ground is finally given up, in whole, or in part. It is therefore proposed to postpone dealing with the question of re-instatement until then.