§ Mr. GROVESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as citizens of this country whose property was 398W damaged by enemy action during the War were encouraged to expect that the damage they suffered would be fully made good out of payments provided by the wrongdoer, he is prepared to state what action the Government proposes to take to satisfy the claims of sufferers who have not yet been compensated for their losses?
§ Mr. R. McNEILLI cannot accept the suggestion made by the hon. Member that persons whose property was damaged by enemy action were encouraged to expect that the damage would be fully made good to them. On the contrary, when these claims were registered, it was specifically stated that no undertaking could be given that they would be paid, and the forms issued by the Reparation Claims Department stated that "His Majesty's Government can give no guarantee that compensation will be received in whole or in part" by the claimants. A large sum has already been applied to meet such claims, in accordance with the recommendations of the Royal Commission, and I can hold out no expectation that this sum can be further increased at the expense of the general taxpayer.