52. Mr. Rostron Duckworthasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether as repairs to houses are now limited to £10, save under licence, the War Damage Commission will abandon its contention that owners of property damaged by enemy action are responsible for taking reasonable precautions against deterioration and looting; or whether licences are automatically granted in all such cases.
§ Sir J. AndersonNo, Sir. The War Damage Act provides for a deduction to be made from the payment, if war damage is increased by failure on the part of the owner to take any steps he might reasonably have been expected to take to preserve the property, but while the War Damage Commission are bound to take action in cases of wilful neglect, I can assure my hon. Friend that they do not administer this provision unreasonably. I must make it clear, however, that damage or loss by looting is not war damage, and is not covered by the War Damage Act.