§ Mr. RONALD McNEILLasked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that a house, No. 72, Eccleston Square, the property of Mr. Brannan, was requisitioned by the Royal Air Force on the 8th of May, 1918, and occupied by the force until the 10th of March, 1919, but that, although a small sum for dilapidations quite insufficient to make good the damage was paid to the owner in November, 1919, nothing whatever has been paid by way of rent or compensation for occupation of the premises; and, seeing that the owner has lost heavily through the occupation of his house by the Royal Air Force, will instructions be given to pay fair rent or compensation without further delay?
Captain GUESTAs stated in the reply to my hon. Friend on the 16th December, 1920, Mr. Brannan's claim was dealt with in November, 1919, by the Defence of56W the Realm Losses Commission, with whom, and not with the Air Ministry, the question of the payment to be made in respect of the occupation solely rested. The Commission made an award for reinstatement, but decided that nothing could be allowed for rent or compensation. The amount of their award was duly paid in November, 1919, and no further liability can be admitted.