HC Deb 25 November 1941 vol 376 c618W
Sir J. Lucas

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, under Section 25 of the War Damage Act, 1941, each and every mortgage must exceed one-third of the price of acquisition before each mortgagee can be called upon to contribute, or whether it is only mortgagees whose individual holdings exceed one-third of the total amount?

Sir K. Wood

I am not sure that I understand precisely what my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind. If he will let me have full particulars of the case concerned I will gladly have it examined.

Mr. De la Bère

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the methods being practised by certain ground landlords or their solicitors of sending out demand notices for half-yearly ground rents, less income tax, without deduction of their contribution for war risks contribution; and whether he will take steps to give the necessary publicity and warning to ground landlords reminding them of Section 7 of the Finance Act, 1941, so that the necessary protection may be afforded to leaseholders in this connection?

Sir K. Wood

I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind Section 28 of the War Damage Act, 1941, under which a person who is entitled to recover from his landlord part of an instalment of the War Damage Contribution may deduct the amount recoverable from any payment of rent falling due to the landlord. This method of recovery, which applies without prejudice to any other method of recovery, is explained in the leaflet which was issued with all the demand notes for the first instalment. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the leaflet.