HC Deb 19 March 1941 vol 370 cc151-2
31. Sir William Davison

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the serious delay in paying compensation in the case of houses requisitioned for military purposes and subsequently given up, the property being left in a dilapidated condition after the departure of the troops, and the owner being consequently unable to let the same to a new tenant; and whether more prompt payment will be made in cases of this kind in future?

Mr. Law

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for South Croydon (Sir H. Williams) yesterday. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind and will send me details, I shall be glad to look into it.

Sir W. Davison

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the answers given yesterday were very unsatisfactory and did not meet the point at issue, namely, that people have houses which are left in a damaged condition when the troops are removed and which take many weeks to be put in order so that they are in a fit state to live in again; and is he aware that one reason for this is that these houses are left with a considerable number of soldiers with no officer in charge?

Mr. Law

With regard to the time which elapses before any allowance is made, I am informed that there is no reason for delay. In a great many of the outstanding cases the fault does not lie with the War Office, the delay being due to the form sent to the owner not having been returned.

Sir W. Davison

Is there any reason why these houses should be in a seriously dilapidated state, as they are, by reason of bad usage when in the occupation of the military?

Sir A. Knox

Is it not entirely owing to lack of proper supervision by the officers?