45. Dr. Russell Thomasasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the cost of re-establishing titles to properties of which the deeds and conveyances have been destroyed by enemy action is provided for by action taken under any War Damage or Insurance Act?
§ Sir K. WoodNo, Sir. In so far as insurance under Part II of the War Damage Act is concerned, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 24th February. Part I of the Act covers physical damage to property, but not loss or expenditure consequential upon such damage, of which the instance given in the Question is only one of many possible examples.
Dr. ThomasIn view of the many heavy burdens upon property owners who have to re-establish title to their property, would my right hon. Friend consider legislation in the near future, and would he make that legislation retrospective?
§ Sir K. WoodNo, Sir. My hon. Friend will recall that when this legislation was introduced, I had to state, on behalf of the Government, that it had to be limited within its terms.
§ Mr. BellengerWould not this be comparatively easy in the case of titles registered at the Land Registry?