§ 42. Sir A. Baillieasked the Minister of Agriculture whether in view of the fact that the Government have no scheme to compensate persons whose property is damaged by air raids, what steps it is proposed to take to assist farmers whose property is damaged by bombs to reinstate their premises; and whether he will arrange for a special national labour force to be recruited which will be able to carry out such repair work free of charge in the national interest?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture (Mr. T. Williams)I would remind my hon. Friend that it was announced in the House on 31st January, 1939, that the Government had decided to initiate a scheme for the payment of compensation after the war in accordance with a scale which would depend on the total amount of the damage and the financial circumstances of the country. The necessary arrangements have been made for the recording and assessment of the damage for the purpose of the scheme. Provision has also been made in the Housing (Emergency Powers) Act, 1939, and the Essential Buildings and Plant (Repair of War Damage) Act, 1939, for essential repairs, the cost being met out of Government loans. As regards the third part of the Question, my right hon. Friend does not think it is necessary or desirable to organise a special national labour force to repair agricultural damage.
§ Mr. WilliamsYes, Sir.