§ Sir W. Davisonasked the Attorney-General whether he can now inform the House as to the result of the investigation which he stated some weeks ago was being made by the Government as to the serious difficulties and often distress of boarding-house keepers, hotel keepers, letters of flats, retail traders, and others similarly affected owing to the war, and, in particular, by the evacuation schemes of the Government whereby they 1955W have lost their tenants and customers; and what action is proposed to be taken in this matter?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe investigation to which I referred on the 18th October is still continuing. Among the persons who have been interviewed are representatives of the Hotels and Restaurants Association, the Residential Hotels Association, the London Emergency Apartment-House-Keepers Society, the Motor Trade Association and associations representing property owners. Bodies representing retail traders in general are also being afforded an opportunity of presenting their views. My hon. Friend will realise, therefore, that a thorough investigation is being made, but these bodies have to be given time to collect and prepare their information, and it would be unreasonable to expect the investigation to have been completed in the time which has elapsed.