Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 65.djvu/102

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Services of Government agencies.

Annual budget program.

A u d i t i n g of accounts.

Rights of airmen. Reports to Congress.

Claims suits.

62 Stat. 933.

PUBLIC LAW 47—JUNE 14, 1951

[65

STAT.

or groups of companies fair and reasonable compensation for servicing insurance written by such companies or groups of companies as underwriting agent for the Secretary. The services of such underwriting agents may be utilized in the adjustment of claims under insurance provided by this title, but no claim shall be paid unless and until it has been approved by the Secretary. Such compensation may include an allowance for expenses reasonably incurred by such agent, but such allowance shall not include any payment by such agent on account of solicitation for or stimulation of insurance business. "(e) The Secretary with the consent of any executive department, independent establishment, or other agency of the Government, including any field service thereof, may avail himself of the use of information, services, facilities, officers, and employees thereof in carrying out the provisions of this title. "(f) The Secretary, in the performance of, and with respect to, the functions, powers, and duties vested in him by this title, shall prepare annually and submit a budget program as provided for wholly owned Government corporations by the Government Corporation Control Act as amended (59 Stat. 597; 31 U.S.C. 841). The Secretary shall maintain an integral set of accounts which shall be audited annually by the General Accounting Office in accordance with principles and procedures applicable to commercial transactions as provided by the said Government Corporation Control Act: Provided, That because of the business activities authorized by this title, the Secretary may exercise the powers conferred in said title, perform the duties and functions, and make expenditures required in accordance with commercial practice in the aviation insurance business, and the General Accounting Office shall allow credit for such expenditures when shown to be necessary because of the nature of such authorized activities. "SEC. 1308. This title shall not affect rights of airmen under existm law. SEC. 1309. The Secretary shall include in his annual report to Congress a detailed statement of all activities and of all expenditures and receipts under this title for the period covered by such report and in addition make quarterly progress reports to the Congress with reference to contracts entered into, proposed contracts, and the general progress of his insurance activities. "SEC. 1310. Upon disagreement as to a loss insured under this title, suit may be maintained against the United States in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or in the United States district court in and for the district in which the claimant or his agent resides, notwithstanding the amount of the claim and any provision of existing law as to the jurisdiction of United States district courts, and this remedy shall be exclusive of any other action by reason of the same subject matter against any agent or employee of the United States employed or retained under this title. If the claimant has no residence in the United States, suit may be brought in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or in any other United States district court in which the Attorney General of the United States agrees to accept service. The procedure in such suits shall otherwise be the same as that provided for suits in the district courts by title 28, United States Code, section 1346(a)(2), so far as applicable. All persons having or claiming or who might have an interest in such insurance may be made parties either initially or upon the motion of either party. I n any case where the Secretary acknowledges the indebtedness of the United States on account of such insurance, and there is a dispute as to the persons entitled to receive

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