HC Deb 26 June 1924 vol 175 cc616-7W
Sir W. de FRECE

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the Departments in which controllers of typists are employed: the numbers of established and unestablished typists for whom each controller is responsible: and the scale of pay for each class in question?

Mr. GRAHAM

The following is the information required:

torpedoed at sea, ex-prisoners, and others, have yet been finally settled; what is the total sum already paid to claimants in respect of these reparations; what total sum has up to now been received for reparations from Germany; and how it has been allotted?

Mr. GRAHAM

The total sum provided by the taxpayer forex gratia payments for war damages is £5,300,000; of which about £2,200,000 has been paid for personal injuries, loss of personal effects at sea, etc., and about 22,100,000 for damage to property, leaving about. £1,000,000 still to be paid (including £300,000 for belated claims). The awards, made by the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action, are final. The amount received from Germany for reparation is approximately £15,000,000 which accrues to the Exchequer. As has frequently been explained, reparation receipts are due by Germany to the State and not to private individuals. If the receipts had been divided between the State and private individuals proportionately to their respective claims the amount available for the latter would not have exceeded £150,000.

Sir C. OMAN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether be can give information as to when there is to be another distribution of compensation gratuities to British civilian prisoners in Rühleben prison camp, 1914–18; and on what principle certain prisoners who entered claims on their release have been compensated and others have as yet, received nothing?

Mr. SNOWDEN

In reply to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury gave to the right hon. and learned Member for Cambridge University (Mr. Rawlinson) on the 23rd June. As regards the second part of the question, payments have been made on the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action on the principles explained in their Reports (Command Papers 1798 and 2066).