§ 49. Squadron-Leader Donnerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement with regard to the financial position of the War Damage Commission and give a general report on the situation in relation to payments.
§ Mr. H. Morrison:I have been asked to reply. Up to 31st March, 1945, £152,000,000 had been collected, and £230,000,000 paid out, under Part I of the War Damage Act. It is estimated that at that date about £520,000,000 remained to be paid out and about £50,000,000 remained to be collected As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has already stated, no contributions beyond those due last July will be levied and all payments made after 31st March, 1946, will be a charge on the Consolidated Fund. Cost of works payments are made as they fall due, and are now running at about £10,000,000 a month, but my right hon. Friend cannot yet say when it will be decided to issue value payments.