§ 17. Major NEWMANasked the President of the Local Government Board whether, having regard to the delay that is likely to arise in the settlement and disposal of claims for relief in the matter of rent, rates, taxes, and other charges made by those now serving, or their representatives, it is the intention of the Government to grant a moratorium in respect of all such liabilities to those serving, or their representatives, on the production of evidence that a genuine claim for relief has been or is about to be made?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Hayes Fisher)I hope that there will be no such delay as my hon. and gallant Friend anticipates, but in any case men serving in His Majesty's Forces are already protected by the provisions of the Courts (Emergency Powers) Acts, 1914 and 1916, and no further action appears to be necessary.
§ 19 and 20. Mr. JACOBSENasked the President of the Local Government Board (1) if henceforward local tribunals are not to entertain in the first instance any appeals for exemption from men liable to military service, but not yet serving, on the grounds of financial hardship but to refer all such appellants to the Commissioner appointed by the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Committee; if there are any exceptions to this, what are the limits and exceptions; and (2) if an applicant for special assistance under the Regulations made by the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Committee will have any right of appeal from the decision of the Committee, and to whom the appeal should be directed; if an applicant not then serving who considers his case not sufficiently provided for by the final decision will have the right to appeal to the local tribunal for exemption on the ground of financial hardship; and in cases of this nature will the information supplied to the Committee be available for the use of the tribunal to enable it to decide whether, taking any relief offered into consideration, there are valid grounds for exemption?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERMy right hon. Friend proposes to call the attention of the local tribunals to the Regulations made by the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Committee, and they will no doubt take 1792 into consideration the Committee's scheme of assistance when dealing with any appeals for exemption on the ground of financial hardship. But it appears to him to be unnecessary that the tribunals should postpone their consideration of such appeals until the cases have been dealt with by the Committee. It is not contemplated that there can be any appeal from the decision of the Committee, but I understand that the Committee would be prepared to reconsider any case in which the applicant can produce any new facts in support of his claim.
§ Mr. HOGGECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government are actually appointing these Commissioners before the House has had any opportunity of considering the scheme as to appointing them?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThe Government have already appointed these Commissioners.