§ 40. Mr. Daggarasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the value of the privately-owned property, such as land, plant, etc., requisitioned by the Government since the commencement of the war.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Kingsley Wood)The number of cases of requisitioning has been very large, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the figures quoted by Mr. John W. Morris, K.C., in his recent report. The War Office alone, for instance, has had some 140,000 cases of requisitioning of land and buildings since the outbreak of war. For purposes of compensation, however, it is 24 not, except in the case of goods, necessary to ascertain the capital value, and I regret, therefore, that the information for which my hon. Friend asks is not available.
§ Mr. DaggarIn view of the importance attached to statements made by the Lord President of the Council when the National Service (No. 2) Bill was before the House, is it not possible to give that information?
§ Sir K. WoodNo, Sir, we do not have to obtain the capital value in most cases. It is a matter of rent. I think my hon. Friend will find more figures besides the one for the War Office in Mr. Morris's report.
§ Mr. DaggarIs it not possible for Members of this House to have that information, without referring to some other authority?
§ Sir K. WoodI have not the information available which my hon. Friend desires about the capital value.
§ Sir H. WilliamsCould my right hon. Friend furnish a list of the persons, most of them in humble circumstances, who have been gravely injured by this requisitioning?