Commander Maitlandasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the financial loss involved when payment is delayed for claims settled under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1954, in view of the fact that no interest on outstanding claims is now payable to the claimant; if he will give an assurance that all claims are paid immediately they are settled; and if he will take steps to see that the procedure for settling claims is expedited.
§ Mr. PowellOn the question of interest I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Isle of Ely (Major Legge-Bourke) on 1st November last; very little time elapses between the settlement and the payment of claims; the procedure for settling claims is fixed by law, and every effort is made to operate it as expeditiously as the large number of claims permits.