§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Prime Minister whether compensations for disturbance allotted by the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission are in any way subject to the authority of the House of Commons or of His Majesty's Ministers?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe terms of reference to the Defence of the Realm Losses Royal Commission are "to inquire and determine and to report what sums (in cases not otherwise provided for) ought in reason and fairness to be paid out of public funds to applicants (not being subjects of an enemy State) in respect of direct and substantial loss incurred and damage sustained by them by reason of interference with their property or business in the United Kingdom through the exercise by the Crown of its rights and duties in the defence of the realm." The Commission acts under these terms in a semi-judicial capacity, and His Majesty's Government accept938W their recommendations and act upon them. I accept on behalf of His Majesty's Government full responsibility for this procedure. In this, as in other matters, His Majesty's Government are, of course, subject to Parliamentary control.