Oral Answers to Questions — British Army – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 22 June 1954.
Mr George Thomson
, Dundee East
12:00,
22 June 1954
asked the Secretary of State for War how many former prisoners of war have received compensation for loss of personal effects; now much has been paid in this way; and what was the date on which the most recent claim was settled.
Mr Anthony Head
, Carshalton
The last payment was on 5th March this year; this was a claim initiated before the scheme ended on 31st October, 1952. To get the other information would mean a great deal of clerical work which I do not think would be justified now that the scheme is closed.
Mr George Thomson
, Dundee East
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there seems to be some serious doubt whether soldiers entitled to claim under the scheme were given the fullest possible information? Would he reconsider the date of termination of the scheme?
Mr Anthony Head
, Carshalton
The vast bulk of these claims were put in and settled in 1946 and very long notice was given of the date when the scheme would close. To reopen the scheme now would cause confusion and would give no satisfaction.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
