Mr. J. Wellsasked the Secretary of State for Air how many complaints have reached his Department of damage to property or livestock attributed to supersonic booms or low flying aircraft; how many cases of ex-gratia payments have been made; and if he is aware of the dis- 78W satisfaction felt by farmers at the severe standards of proof of loss or damage demanded by his Department in respect of such complaints before any ex-gratia payment is favourably considered.
Mr. WardBetween 1st January, 1959, and 30th April, 1960, my Department received 343 claims. We made 68 ex-gratia payments, and we are still examining a further 110 of the claims. I know there is often disappointment when claims are wholly or partly rejected; but we cannot meet unsubstantiated claims. I have no evidence that the standard of proof we require is unreasonable.