HC Deb 27 February 1945 vol 408 cc1216-7
22. Wing-Commander James

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that his Department is seeking to absolve itself from the responsibility of removing works, such as anti-tank blocks, set up upon private property, by insisting upon small cash payments bearing no relation to the cost of removal; and if he will give an assurance that, if preferred, the works will be removed.

Sir J. Grigg

The only statutory obligation upon Government Departments in respect of the reinstatement of land upon which work has been done under Defence Regulations is to pay compensation laid down in the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939. In cases where removal of defence works is, in the opinion of the Government, in the immediate national interest every effort is made to remove them with the resources available. I realise the natural desire that these works should be removed, but in any event neither the War Department nor any other Department can possibly undertake this work generally as long as the war lasts. Problems connected with the removal of these obstructions are under consideration by the Government.

Wing-Commander James

May we have an assurance that where a member of the public would prefer to have these obstacles removed, they will be removed, and that he will not be obliged to accept this cash payment and remove them himself?

Sir J. Grigg

I should be very unwilling to give as categorical an assurance as that without awaiting the result of the consideration, which, I said in my last sentence, the Government are now undertaking.

Mr. W. J. Brown

Is not the Minister aware that the Defence (Compensation) Act, 1939, provides that the State shall either restore property to the condition it was in at the time of being taken over or pay the cost of such restoration, and that token payments of this kind are quite out of order?

Sir J. Grigg

I think the hon. Member gives an inaccurate account of the provision of the Compensation Act, 1939.

Sir Herbert Williams

Will my right hon. Friend be present when we consider the Requisitioned Land Bill in Committee, when we can settle this matter?

Wing-Commander James

May we have an assurance that this will not he pressed to a conclusion by the middle of March, as is forecast in Circular B.

Sir J. Grigg

I do not at the moment recollect what is in the circular, but I will look it up.

23. Wing-Commander James

asked the Secretary of State for War if consideration is being given to the employment of prisoners of war, immediately and after the war, for the demolition of War Department anti-tank blocks and other obstructions and the restoration of the land to its former condition.

Sir J. Grigg

The military authorities use such labour as they have available from time to time, including the labour of prisoners of war, to remove these obstructions in appropriate cases. But as my hon. and gallant Friend will realise such labour as can be obtained is on the whole employed on work more directly concerned with winning the war.

Lieut. - Commander Joynson - Hicks

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider acceding to the request of the Russians now on the South coast of England that they may be permitted to help in this work?

Sir J. Grigg

I was under the impression that the request of the Soviet Government was that these Russians should be repatriated at the earliest possible moment.