HC Deb 18 January 1949 vol 460 c6W
Mr. Odey

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury under what circumstances the War Damage Commission are empowered to consider claims which, owing to exceptional circumstances, have been presented after the due date.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

Under Section 31 of the War Damage Act, 1943, the Commission are empowered in their discretion to extend the time limit for notifying war damage in particular cases.

Mr. Odey

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many cases have the War Damage Commission agreed to reopen where it has been shown that the delay in their submission arose through exceptional circumstances.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

The Commission tell me that up to the beginning of October, 1946, all late notifications were accepted if they were supported by a Statutory Declaration. Since then about 75,000 late notifications have been accepted in whole or in part, though increasingly severe restrictions have been imposed as the period of delay has grown longer.