72. Mr. Bowerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, owing to the high prices of furniture, persons benefiting by free cover of personal chattels are now, when victims of enemy action, unable to purchase even necessities, since they are only compensated on the willing seller-buyer basis of March, 1939, since when values have risen over 300 per cent.; and whether, in his promised Bill amending the War Damage Act, he will introduce proposals to relieve these hardships of the less well-off members of the community?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Captain Waterhouse)Compensation in respect of private chattels is made under Treasury Regulations contained in S.R. & O. 1941, No. 787, and is based on values at the time of the damage, not on 1939 values. Immediate grants to enable persons to obtain necessities are made by the Assistance Board and take into account any rise in prices.