§ Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the need for the granting, at the earliest opportunity, of some interim awards to persons who suffered material damage during the war in Malaya, in order to enable them to replace urgently required household goods and chattels; and whether, as the Claims Commission has not yet started to function, he will consider some alternative steps for dealing with these interim payments to alleviate hardship.
Mr. Creech JonesI do appreciate these needs and would refer to my predeces-190W sor's replies to questions on the 30th October, 1945, and 20th March, 1946, regarding the grants made to those persons who have returned to this country after release from captivity in the Far East. These grants have been met from United Kingdom funds. The question of making interim payments to other persons is primarily a matter for consideration by the Malayan Governments. I will bring my hon. Friend's suggestion to the notice of those Governments but the view has hitherto been taken that an equitable scheme cannot be evolved until they have received the interim report of the Claims Commission, the establishment of which has been delayed owing to the unfortunate illness of the person selected as its chairman.