§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he is aware that his Ministry, without any notice to the owner, recently removed all the machinery, waterwheels, etc., including an antique gate, for scrap, from a mill at Byfleet, details of which have been sent to him, the owner being absent with the Forces on war service; that the mill is thus completely destroyed as a mill and the compensation offered represents but a small fraction of the value of the property as estimated by 2026W experts; and whether he will inquire into this matter.
§ Mr. HicksOwing to a misunderstanding with regard to the extent to which the property referred to was under requisition by the War Department, certain machinery in a disused condition and some gates were removed in 1942 without specific notice to the owner. The compensation due will depend upon a number of factors, some of which have not yet been substantiated. Negotiations are in progress.