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Pheasants

Volume 104: debated on Wednesday 13 March 1918

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22.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the War Office have received a claim from Sir Claude de Crespigny, baronet, of Champion Lodge, Maldon, Essex, for reimbursement of loss by the destruction of pheasants two years ago on account of military occupation; whether any steps have been taken to assess this claim upon a fair basis between the State and the breeder; and if he can fix any date for the conclusion of the assessment and the payment of the amount which may be found due?

The claim of Sir Claude de Crespigny for compensation for loss of game through disturbance by military operations, has been submitted to the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission, with whom the decision rests.

I am not responsible for the Commission in question, but I am sure that there will be no avoidable delay.

This matter has been before us for two years, and will the right hon. Gentleman represent the fact of the great delay which has already taken place?

I should think that the publicity which will be occasioned by the hon. Gentleman's question will bring it to the notice of the Commission.

Before compensating these people for disturbance of a number of pheasants, will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the tens of thousands of people whose businesses have been smashed, so that they may be looked after by the War Office?

It is not a question of the disturbance of pheasants, but rather the destruction of useful food.

This is not a matter for the War Office. It has been referred to a wholly impartial tribunal, and I am sure it will receive wholly impartial treatment.

Does not the War Losses Commission deal with losses of profit in trade, and is pheasant-rearing a trade yielding profit?