§ Viscount ELVEDENasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is possible to accelerate the proceedings if the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action, in view of the fact that in many cases the suffering and damage were experienced more than five years ago and many of the claimants are persons of limited means?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action is proceed-2628W ing with its work as speedily as is possible. The number of claims which the Commission has to consider is, however, very large, and many difficult questions have to be decided, so that the work necessarily takes time. I am aware that many of the claimants are persons of limited means, and in this connection I would draw the Noble Lord's attention to the fact that special payments on account amounting to over £50,000 have already been made to meet necessitous cases.