§ 42. Sir W. Davisonasked the Attorney-General whether he can now inform the House as to the nature of the report of 1221 the Schuster Committee with reference to the serious losses occasioned to tradesmen, boarding-house keepers, and others, in certain evacuation areas by reason of the evacuation policy of the Government; and what action the Government propose to take in the matter, special regard being had to the extreme urgency of the cases of many of those affected who have lost their means of livelihood while they retain their liability in respect of rent and rates, etc.?
§ The Attorney-General (Sir Donald Somervell)The committee to which my hon. Friend refers consists, as I have explained, of the departmental advisers of Ministers comprising the Home Policy Committee. Their observations on this subject were submitted to the Home Policy Committee and the action which the Government propose to take was stated on 30th April last in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Blackpool (Mr. R. Robinson).
§ Sir W. DavisonIs my right hon. Friend aware that in Kensington there are some 6,000 empty rateable properties on which the London County Council and the police precepts had been levied, involving an expenditure on the borough of some £307,000 and an increased rate of 2s. 10d. in the £? Does he not think that the matter is of great urgency and that legislation should be introduced to deal with the matter at once?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI accept the figures which my hon. Friend has given. As I have stated, the action which the Government propose to take was given in an answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Blackpool and I have nothing to add to that.
§ Sir W. DavisonWhen will the legislation be introduced?
§ Mr. SpeakerWe have passed to the next Question.