Mr. De la Bèreasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the very large number of claims for compensation from farmers, which have been delayed for over six months, especially having regard to the utilisation of fields by searchlight batteries; and whether he 973W will instruct the War Department land agents to take up the whole matter on a comprehensive basis with a view to expediting and facilitating the payment of these claims?
§ Sir E. GriggAs regards requisitioned property as a whole, compensation has been agreed in two-thirds of the claims rendered in the prescribed form, and I do not think there can be any considerable number of claims unmet of over six months' standing. As regards searchlight sites, the average annual payment is about £8, so that the outstanding amount in any particular case will not be large; but, if any farmer represents that he is being seriously embarrassed by delay, a settlement or a payment on account will be made. Command land agents are well aware of the necessity for expedition, and their staffs are continually being increased.