§ 39. Major BOYD-CARPENTERasked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry what is the Statute under which 1403 the Royal Air Force occupies premises: and whether an Order under the Defence of the Realm Act issued by the War Office is deemed to be valid in such a case?
§ Major-General SEELYThe Statute under which premises can be compulsorily taken by the Royal Air Force is the Defence of the Realm Act. Regulation 2, made under that Act, provides for any competent naval or military authority taking possession of any buildings or other property, when it is necessary to do so for the purpose of securing the public safety or the defence of the Realm.
§ Major LANE-FOXHas the right hon. Gentleman any right to hand them over to the Insurance Commission?
§ Major-General SEELYThat is a legal matter. I should presume it must be legal otherwise we should not have done it.
§ Major LANE-FOXHas the right hon. Gentleman taken the advice of the Law Officers?
§ Major-General SEELYI am quite sure my predecessor must have done, because he was a most wise man, but I will inquire at once. It was before my time.