§ Colonel Baldwin-Webbasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the names of the appointments that have been made of persons to assess war damage in this country through enemy action; whether they have held or will hold civil or military rank; what salaries are being paid to them; whether they work individually or with members of a committee; and what is the Government's aim and object in making such appointments?
§ Sir J. SimonI assume that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the panel of professional men whose services, as stated in the recent White Paper (Command Paper 6116), will be available to assist the staff of the Valuation Office of the Inland Revenue in the task of collecting claims and recording war damage.
1431WNo appointments have been made, but arrangements, under which professional men possessing the necessary technical qualifications will make their services available, are now in an advanced stage. These services will be required only in the contingency of war damage being realised, and in proportion as it may be realised. I think that no purpose would be served by giving a list of names of professional men, which would be both extensive and would neither now, nor necessarily at any time, be complete. The holding of military rank is not material to these arrangements.
As already indicated, the services of these gentlemen will be utilised as occasion requires; and they will work in conjunction with the district valuer in each district.
No payment is being made to them in the meantime.