51. Mr. Bernard Taylorasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether mental hospitals are treated as being within the provisions of the War Damage Act respecting the payment of premiums; and, if not, who is responsible for making good any damage caused by enemy action?
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Captain Crookshank)I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the provisions of the Act which relate to land and buildings. In the case of a mental hospital which is a charity to which Section 39 of the Act applies, relief from contribution is given, but compensation is payable subject to the terms of that Section, which gives the War Damage Commission certain discretionary powers in the matter. Other mental hospitals, however, including those of local authorities, fall within the ordinary provisions of the Act regarding collection of contribution and payment of compensation.
Mr. TaylorIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the premium payable by the Notts County Mental Hospital was not accepted by the Inland 1196 Revenue on the grounds the hospital was regarded as a charity?
§ Captain CrookshankI did not catch the question.