Mr. E. P. Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement calculated to assist British subjects resident in Hong Kong at the time of the Japanese occupation who may wish to register claims for loss of, or damage to, property, showing the general principle upon which they should act when making their claims; and whether any immediate relief is available to them, pending the settlement of such claims.
§ Mr. George HallI regret that I have nothing-to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 31st October, in which I referred to the position regarding the registration of losses and to the immediate relief available in this country for 2273W persons in need. In order, however, that the position may be clearer I append statements regarding the Far Eastern Relief Fund and the grants for the purchase of furniture and household goods, which were referred to in that reply.
Following are the statements
Far Eastern Relief Fund
The fund makes grants to those persons who have suffered as a result of the Japanese occupation of the Far Eastern territories. These grants are over and above any assistance which such persons can obtain from public relief in this country. Cash grants may be made to supplement the public maintenance, up to 7s. 6d. a week. The fund will also consider applications for grants in necessitous cases towards the establishment and furnishing of a home in those cases where a person is not eligible for a grant under the "Private Chattels Scheme" referred to below. The fund also provides assistance towards meeting special expenses, such as children's education, maintenance of life insurance policies, medical and dental fees, which are not provided from public funds. Applications for assistance should be made to the Far Eastern Relief Fund, Malaya House, 57, Trafalgar Square, London, W.C.2.
Private Chattels Scheme
The scheme applies to those persons returning from captivity in the Far East who intend to remain permanently in the United Kingdom, and provides for grants for the purchase of furniture, household goods, etc., on the lines of, and within the limits of, the free cover provided for in the Private Chattels Scheme of the United Kingdom. Private chattels include furniture, clothing, glass, linen, china, cutlery, cooking utensils, and there is a limit of £25 grant in respect of any one article.
The free cover under the United Kingdom scheme provides for grants to those who have suffered losses by enemy action on the following basis:
A householder is eligible for a grant up to £200, with an extra £100 if he is married, and £25 for each child under 16 years of age who is a member of the family.
Payment is restricted to those who are in immediate need of money or who would suffer undue hardship if payment were not made.
2274WApplications for grants should be submitted to the Crown Agents for the Colonies.