War Damage Payments
There is a general feeling of confidence among the public that the proceedings of the War Damage Commission are as sure as they arerlbevitably, slow ; though many owners of property damaged in 194° feel some natural impatience, being still in the dark as to the extent to which their claims will be met. Sir Malcolm
Trustram Eve, the chairman of the Commission, said last Monday that claims for damage have now grown to nearly 1,200,000, and that the money already disbursed amounts to more than Ltoo,000,000 ; and he pointed out that the diminution of serious raiding meant no falling off in the claims for payment for •repair work, but rather the reverse—since in the absence of heavy raids owners were going ahead with repairs more confidently. This, of course, does not touch that large number of cases in which serious damage was done, and no present rebuilding is contemplated, where owners do not expect immediate payments, but do want to. know what value-payment will ultimately be made to them, or whether payment will be on a cost-of-works basis. A decision is often of immediate importance to such owners, especially if their damaged property was mortgaged. Sir Malcolm said that people would want to know the answer simultaneously with the end of hostilities. They want to know now. However, dispossessed of their property, they must possess their souls in patience, and note the warning that each letter of inquiry to the Commission takes up so much of its time, and to that extent slows down its working.
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