§ Sir L. Lyleasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the average time taken by the War Damage Commission in settling the accounts of builders, especially those in a small way of business, for emergency repair work carried out on buildings damaged by flying bombs.
§ Mr. AsshetonI assume my hon. Friend is referring to private claims made direct to the War Damage Commission. No separate information is available as to the average time taken to settle claims for repairs of fly bomb damage. I understand that before fly bombs started the average time taken in settling cost of works claims, small and large, was four-five weeks. Small claims were on average settled within a fortnight of receipt. Individual claims might, of course, be outstanding for a longer time for a variety of reasons. The additional burden on the War Damage Commission involved in handling the great numbers of notifications of damage temporarily slowed up the speed with which claims were handled, but the position is now generally returning to normal. Indeed, if all builders cooperate by tendering their accounts in 71W accordance with the Commission's pamphlet ROD.1, recently agreed with their representatives, a still further improvement may be hoped for.