HC Deb 21 January 1924 vol 169 cc566-8W
Sir J. PENNEFATHER

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any definite date has been fixed after which no belated reparation claims will be registered; and, if so, what that date is?

Viscount WOLMER

Belated claims are still under the consideration of the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action, who have complete discretion regarding claims against the £5,000,000. Belated claims continue to be registered in the Reparation Claims Department, but no definite statement can be made as to the disposal of these claims pending the presentation of the second Report of the Commission.

Sir L. SCOTT

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will communicate with the Royal Commission on Suffering and Damage caused through Enemy Action with a view to ascertaining when the Commission is likely to report on the large number of belated claims which have been submitted for its consideration; and whether he will represent to the Commission that, having regard to the poverty of many of the applicants and the existing degree of unemployment in the country, an early report would be of public assistance?

Viscount WOLMER

I would refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for the Kirkdale Division of Liverpool (Sir J. Pennefather) on the 17th January, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. and learned Friend.

Mr. RAWSON

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state when the claims for death and personal injury arising out of air raids will be disposed of; when the Report of the Commission on claims arising out of damage to property will be issued; and, in view of the fact that those who have suffered in the latter category are experiencing hardship, can the Report be expedited and compensation awarded, in view of the time that has elapsed since the last air raid?

Viscount WOLMER

As to the first part of the question, claims for death and personal injury arising out of air maids lodged before the final date fixed by the Royal Commission have been paid, with the exception of a small number of cases where sufficient information has not been available. As to the second and third parts of the question, I would refer to the answer which I gave on the 17th January to the hon. Member for the Kirk-dale Division of Liverpool.