§ Mr. Hepworthasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the 384W Prime Minister's declaration on 22nd September that the war damage scheme has ultimately turned out to be highly profitable to the Exchequer and, recognising that the demands for contributions have been severe, when taking into consideration that the charge is not on the amount which owners of property would normally insure, seeing that the Schedule A assessment includes land in addition to property, he will, as empowered under Section 42 of the Act, consider reducing or suspending payments or giving a credit if not used and thus dispel the feeling generally held, that the operation of the War Damage Act gives excessive profits to His Majesty's Government?
§ Sir J. AndersonNo, Sir. As my hon. Friend will note, if he will examine the annual statement laid on Tuesday of last week and the corresponding statement laid last year, payments made by the War Damage Commission have considerably exceeded receipts from contributions. Moreover practically all value payments and most of the heavier cost of works payments remain to be met after the war.