HC Deb 14 May 1941 vol 371 cc1220-1
66. Commander Sir Archibald Southby

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the case of business premises compulsorily requisitioned by the War Office, such compensation is paid as will fully cover the amount of rent for the premises for which the dispossessed occupier may be liable under an existing agreement from which he is unable to escape; or whether the rent compensation paid is an arbitrarily fixed sum which does not cover the liabilities of the dispossessed occupier?

Mr. Law

My hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension if he supposes that the sum payable by way of compensation in cases of this kind is arbitrarily fixed by the War Department. The amount is determined by the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, and the War Department has no power to go beyond its provisions. Under the. provisions of that Act, compensation in respect of requisitioned property must be, assessed by reference to the rent which might reasonably be expected to be payable by a tenant under a lease granted at the time when the property is taken over.

Sir A. Southby

Will my hon. Friend appreciate the case I brought to his notice where the War Department requisitioned premises from an individual who has to pay £250 rent while receiving only £100 from the War Department? As his means of livelihood have been taken away, will my hon. Friend say how the individual concerned will find the other £150?

Mr. Law

The rent payable by the War Office, under the Act, can only be what the premises are worth at the time. In a great many cases it is the unfortunate fact that the value of the premises has deteriorated between the time that the original lease was taken up and the time the War Department took over. We are bound by the Act and cannot do any more.

Sir William Davison

Is it not desirable that some change in the law should be made? It was my experience recently that an educational trust with which I am associated had to pay £20 or £30 a year more rent in respect of requisitioned premises than they receive from the War Office who requisitioned the premises.

Sir A. Southby

Does my hon. Friend mean that when the War Office requisition premises from an individual, they will pay less in rent than the individual himself is already bound to pay? If so, that is a most unfair and unjust decision.

Mr. Law

The War Office has power to pay only what the premises are worth at the time, and if there is any unfairness or injustice, it is not on the part of the War Office but on the part of the House of Commons in passing the Act.

Sir W. Davison

Will my hon. Friend have the whole matter looked into? In the experience of many of us, great hardship is being caused through people having to pay the balance of rent which they are not receiving. The House would, 1 am sure, pass a one-Clause Bill in a short time to remedy the position.

Sir I. Albery

Will the Lord Privy Seal assure the House that this matter will receive attention?

Mr. Attlee

Certainly, Sir.

Sir A. Southby

Will it receive early attention?

Mr. Attlee

Certainly, Sir.