HC Deb 24 January 1977 vol 924 cc500-1W
Mr. Gow

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total amount of compensation paid out so far by his Department as a result of losses sustained arising out of the sinking of HMS "Fittleton".

Mr. Duffy

Payment of compensation totalling over £11,100 has been authorised.

Mr. Gow

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints he has received about delay in settling claims for compensation arising out of losses sustained as a result of the sinking of HMS "Fittleton".

Mr. Duffy

Three.

Mr. Gow

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why the claim for compensation for loss sustained by a member of the Royal Naval Reserve arising out of the sinking of HMS "Fittleton," about which the Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy wrote to the hon. Member for Eastbourne on 17th November 1976, has not been settled.

Mr. Duffy

The case in question was one of 35 cases involving loss of money and since it has been a long-standing practice not to pay compensation for losses of money we needed to consider carefully the implications of making an exception in these cases. Payment of compensation has now been authorised.

Mr. Gow

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make an ex gratia payment to those members of the Royal Navy and of the Naval Reserve who lost cash as a result of the sinking of HMS "Fittleton" on 20th September 1976.

Mr. Duffy

Yes.

Mr. Gow

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the crew of HMS "Fittleton" which sank on 20th September 1976 have received compensation for losses of their personal property; and in how many cases compensation has not been paid, although it has been claimed.

Mr. Duffy

Payment of compensation to 30 members of the crew of HMS "Fittleton" has been authorised. Two more claims received recently are under consideration.

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