HC Deb 28 November 1946 vol 430 cc1781-2
68. Mr. Mellish

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider making all mortgage interest charges on owner-occupied houses totally destroyed by enemy action, a national charge during the period that they are uninhabitable.

Mr. Dalton

No, Sir. I could not undertake to bring payments of this kind within the field of public compensation.

Mr. Mellish

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer bear in mind that the Co-operative Building Society and the Halifax Building Society have reduced their interest charges in such cases to 2½per cent.? Will he ask the other building societies to follow this very splendid lead?

Mr. Dalton

That is a slightly different question, but I will take note of what my hon. Friend says. As he knows, we are endeavouring to reduce interest rates wherever possible.

Mr. Foot

In view of the hardship caused to owner-occupiers by the operation of this, as well as other factors, will my right hon. Friend now say when he will be able to make a statement on the general settlement under the War Damage Act, which he foreshadowed last August?

Mr. Dalton

That is rather a wider question than the one on the Paper, but, as I stated only a few days ago in reply-to another Question, we are working on this matter, and I hope it will not be long before a statement can be made.

Mr. Janner

Pending a decision in this matter, will my right hon. Friend reconsider the rate of interest to be repaid to owner-occupiers in the case of war damaged houses, in view of the fact that they have to pay a higher rate of interest?

Mr. Dalton

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that down.