§ Mr. Higgsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the payments by the War Damage Commission now exceed the contributions; whether the anticipated ultimate excess will in addition absorb more than the Government's promised £200,000,000; and whether any approxi- 774W mate date has been suggested for the termination of the present public contribution scheme.
§ Sir J. AndersonIn reply to the first and second parts of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for East Fulham (Mr. Astor) on 27th April and to the hon. Member for Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) on 26th September. The War Damage Act, 1943, provides, subject to any action which may be taken under Section 80, for the collection of five instalments of contribution of which the last falls due on the 1st July next year.