§ 45. Mr. WINGasked the Prime Minister if the Government have come to any decision in the direction of protecting men who may be called up and are proprietors of businesses in premises under long leases at heavy rents, and also whose financial existence is imperilled by the whole of their men being called up and their shops 990 closed in consequence; and whether he will consider the provision of remedies such as suspension of leases while men are called up or provision of rent while such are serving?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Hayes Fisher)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I am afraid I cannot hold out any expectation that it will be possible to make further provision than is made at present for relieving hardship in the cases referred to.
§ Mr. WINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave us to understand last week that the matter would be considered?
§ Mr. FISHERHe may have given the answer that it would be considered. It has been, and is being, considered, but I have no hope that we shall be able to enlarge the opportunities which these men will have of applying to the Civil Liabilities Commission and under the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act.
§ Mr. WINGI put the question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and not to the right hon. Gentleman?
§ Mr. FISHERI have been asked to answer it on behalf of the Prime Minister.
§ Mr. PRINGLEAre we to understand that the problem has been considered in the light of the new conditions created by the new Military Service Act?
§ Mr. FISHERThe hon. Gentleman is entitled to think that it has been, and is being, considered, but we see no hope of these men being able to enlarge their opportunities of applying to the Civil Liabilities Commission and under the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act.