§ Sir L. Lyleasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the growing dissatisfaction at the laborious and unbusinesslike ways of the War Damage Commission; and whether he will take steps to expedite settlements as the Inland Revenue is collecting the contributions so quickly?
§ Captain CrookshankI am not aware of any ground for the suggestion in the first part of the Question. As regards the second part, perhaps I may refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made on 16th instant in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Gillingham (Sir R. Gower).
Mr. Rostron Duckworthasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in regard to disputed builders' claims, a portion of which is disallowed both by the National Federation of Building Trades employers and by the regional assessor, if such claims have been paid by the householder, the latter can recover from the builder the amount of the claim disputed, or what procedure should be followed?
§ Captain CrookshankThe Commission is under a statutory obligation to pay the proper cost of making good war damage. If the owner has been charged more than this by the builder, the matter is one for settlement between the parties, and the Commission has no authority to intervene. It is hoped, however, that the arrangements made with the National Federation of Building Trades Employers 1639W to which reference is made in the Question will contribute to the solution of this difficult problem. The arrangements were, in fact, made with that object.