§ Mr. Gammansasked the Minister of Defence if he is aware that claims against the Army, Royal Navy and R.A.F. by Messrs. Paskoe, Limited, of Singapore, have now been outstanding for more than a year; and when he expects that payment will be made.
§ Mr. AlexanderYes. These claims relate to the period before the fall of Singapore in February, 1942. I am assured that, subject only to the necessity to verify the accuracy and validity of claims of this kind, every endeavour is being made by the Service Departments to effect early settlements of these and other outstanding claims. The hon. Member will however, appreciate that the absence of a great deal of the material evidence involves considerable delay before final settlements can be reached.