§ 37. Mr. Smedley Crookeasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the hardship recently sustained by small shopkeepers in the city of Birmingham whose businesses have been ruined by the loss of customers caused by the demolition of houses in slum-clearance areas and who are unable to obtain compensation from the local authority; and whether, in view of this, he will consider the advisability of taking such action as is within the Ministry's powers to alleviate the distress of those who are being financially ruined through no fault of their own?
§ Sir K. WoodI understand that the corporation have paid allowances in respect of disturbance of trade in 245 out of the total of 253 claims submitted to them, the total amount of compensation paid being £16.927. I have no reason to suppose that the council are not adequately exercising their powers to make grants, but if my hon. Friend has any particular cases in mind and will send me particulars, I shall be glad to make further inquiries.