HC Deb 26 March 1947 vol 435 cc1229-30
40. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the approximate number of Germans living in the British zone who have been evicted from their former homes since the end of the war; how many of these have been provided with alternative accommodation; how many have been allowed to return to the homes from which they were evicted; and whether compensation is given for furniture and goods they were compelled to leave behind that has been destroyed, stolen or damaged.

Mr. J. Hynd

These figures cannot be provided without undue expenditure of time and labour. Alternative accommodation for displaced Germans is provided by the German local authorities, who also pay compensation for goods unduly damaged or not returned when properties are derequisitioned.

Mr. Sorensen

Can my hon. Friend now announce that no further evictions will take place, and that no more furniture and goods will be taken from German families?

Mr. Hynd

I am not sure whether I got the last part of my hon. Friend's supplementary correctly, but compensation is provided, and paid, by the German authorities. So long as it is necessary for our staff and their families to be provided with German accommodation, it is not possible to guarantee that there will be no further evictions.

Mr. Sorensen

But cannot something be done on humane grounds? Surely compensation should be adequate to cover these losses?

Mr. Hynd

We have, of course, to share out the available furniture in the zone unless we are to import furniture from this country or elsewhere. We are producing as much furniture as facilities in Germany will permit. We have amended the regulations for the requisitioning of furniture, to enable the Germans to take essential furniture with them.