§ 29. Mr. DOUGLAS HALLasked the Prime Minister if the Government can see their way, either by legislation or proclamation, to relieve officers on active service abroad during the period of such service from any legal liability they may have incurred to pay exorbitant interests on loans they may have contracted before they left this country with moneylenders or others, in view of the fact that they are unable to attend to such matters until the War is over, and in view of the fact that under the Moneylender's Act, 1900, interest up to 120 per cent. has been allowed by the Courts as not being harsh and unconscionable?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant)I sympathise with the object the hon. Member has in view, but, having made inquiries, I am advised it could not be obtained without legislation. At the same time I must guard myself against accepting the suggestion contained in the last part of the question as being a correct statement of the decided cases.