Vol. 101 No. 4
I move:
That a sum not exceeding £4,700 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending the 31st day of March, 1947, for Compensation and other Payments in connection with Injuries to Property caused by the dropping of bombs from foreign aircraft and by kindred incidents while the State is not engaged in war (No. 24 of 1941).
The procedure is that we pay the money according to the compensation assessed. We understood from time to time during the war that other Governments had taken responsibility for compensation in respect of specific happenings—the British Government in one or two cases and the Government of Germany in other cases. What recoupment has so far been made to us by either or both of those Governments and, in the case of the German Government, what proposals have the Government towards refilling the public purse for what it has paid out, as against the promise of ultimate compensation? Are any steps being taken with regard to frozen moneys in this country belonging to Germany or the other countries involved, or is the position just that the taxpayer pays the bill, in spite of the fact that promises and assurances have been made by both Governments?
Except in the case of Germany, no difficulty would be experienced where the liability was admitted. I have read through this brief on a previous occasion and I must say that my mind is not clear at the moment as to our position in regard to the case mentioned by the Deputy. As far as the British are concerned, there is no difficulty where the damage is admitted and I understand now that, in the case of the damage caused by German action, we are getting a certain sum, in the neighbourhood of £12,000. I do not think there is any possibility of our being able to get any more.
What was the total liability?
About £500,000.
In all?
That would include all the damage done by all the bombing from different sources.
So far as the German liability is concerned, what was the amount?
I see now that the estimate is £500,000 for the German liability.
We get £12,000 towards that.
