§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will consider measures to speed up the payment of compensation arising from bomb damage to businesses and private individuals, and in particular if he will arrange for 75 per cent. of the claim to be paid, in appropriate cases, prior to the determination of the exact amount due.
§ Mr. David HowellA number of measures have already been taken to speed up payments such as the commissioning of professional and technical help from private firms of loss assessors, loss adjusters, quantity surveyors, valuers, architects, engineers and accountants.
Each county council has been told that the Ministry of Home Affairs would favour a payment on account by the council of not more than 70 per cent. of any element of a claim agreed between the council and the solicitor for the appli- 324W cant in respect of compensation for physical damage if final settlement of the full claim is likely to be delayed.