§ Mr. HARMSWORTHasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Parliamentary grants voted to provide compensation to civilian victims of enemy action and administered by the Reparation Claims Department are yet exhausted; if not, whether he is aware that Mr. W. G. West, of 68, Bellevue Road, Ramsgate, aged 75, only received £60 compensation for the destruction of his 2070W fishing vessel "Satanita,' estimated to have been worth about £1,500; that this ship was the only means of livelihood for himself and his wife; and that, owing to the meagre amount of compensation received, Mr. and Mrs. West have been obliged to sell household effects to pay rent; and whether, in all the circumstances, he will arrange for this case to be reviewed?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKThe Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action in their First Report—(Cmd. 1798), paragraph 21—decided that claims by owners of property who had the means of protecting themselves against its loss, but did not do so, could not be recognised. This decision applied to fishing vessels, as they were insurable under the Government scheme. Mr. West's claim in respect of the gear and catch were, however, admitted to rank at £40 and £21, respectively, and a sum of £61 was paid to him in March, 1924 on the recommendation of the Royal Commission, in final settlement of his claim. In the circumstances I regret to say no further payment can be made to Mr. West.