§ Sir H. Williamsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that great dissatisfaction exists at the inadequate amounts being offered by the War Damage Commission in respect of value payments; whether he is aware that, in the communications intimating the proposed amount, no indication is given as to the maner in which the amount is arrived at nor is it indicated to what extent people can choose cost-of-works payments instead of value payments; and what steps he proposes to take to meet this dissatisfaction.
§ Sir J. AndersonNo, Sir; but where such dissatisfaction does exist it is, I believe, in the main due to a misunderstanding of the provisions of the War Damage Act, 1943, which prescribes that a value payment shall be the amount of the depreciation in the capital value of the property computed in terms of values as at 31st March, 1939. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the War Damage Commission's relevant form Val. 5, which makes it clear that the estimates are provisional only and explains the basis on which the estimates are calculated. Claimants who disagree are specifically invited to furnish alternative estimates or to give reasons in writing why they consider the Commission's estimates are too low. The question whether a war damaged property qualifies for a cost of works or a value payment is not a matter of choice by claimants, but has to be decided by the Commission under the test prescribed in Section 7 of the Act or, in the case of houses, in the light of the Direction issued by the Treasury on 15th October, 1943.
§ Mr. Sorensenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cost-of-works 2148W claims for 1940, 1941, 1942 and 1943, respectively, are still unsettled; how many claims have been refused; and whether negotiation for settlement can be carried on with the claimant and not the contractor excepting when the contractor has been appointed as agent by the claimant.
§ Sir J. AndersonI regret that the statistics desired are not available. On the average, however, cost of works claims are settled within a period of four to five weeks from the date of their receipt and the number of claims still outstanding for more than 12 months after they have been received is negligible. If my hon. Friend has knowledge of any individual claims in which there appears to have been serious delay in settlement, the War Damage Commission would be glad to receive particulars. With regard to the latter part of the Question, it is generally found the most convenient procedure for the claimant that any necessary discussion on the details of his claim should be with his professional adviser or builder, but there is, of course, no reason why the claimant himself should not conduct the negotiations if he so wishes.
§ Sir R. Rossasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the damage to property caused by the explosion in 1942 of floating mines at a place of which he has been informed; that claims of over £5 have, in no case, yet been met by the War Damage Commission; that the local urban district council claim to have no powers to advance the cash necessary to meet claims of under £5; and whether he will expedite the settlement of these claims, all of which is preventing an estate being wound up.
§ Sir J. AndersonI regret that I cannot undertake to answer Questions relating to particular war damage claims. I have, however, asked the War Damage Commission to inquire into the position and to communicate direct with my hon. Friend.