46. Mr. SHIRLEY BENNasked the Prime Minister if he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to enable the Public Trustee to pay out of moneys belonging to German citizens all damages done as a result of air raids to private property of British citizens situated in unfortified places?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Statute under which the Public Trustee holds German assets declares that the object is to preserve them with a view to arrangements to be made at the conclusion of peace, and the Government is not prepared to vary this announcement.
Mr. BENNMay I ask if the right hon. Gentleman has considered the personnel of some of the companies whose money is in the hands of the Public Trustee, and the effect which the suggestion might have?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am afraid I know nothing about that. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put a question down.