§ Mr. W. Robertsasked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the position of persons who, having purchased transport vehicles on the hire-purchase system and subsequently had those vehicles requisitioned, are now being pressed by the companies to pay interest upon the purchases at the rates applicable for the whole period of the purchase agreement, although the purchase has now been settled by the payment of a lump sum; and whether he will intervene on behalf of the purchasers?
§ Captain WallaceI have no power to intervene between the parties to a hire-purchase agreement nor would it be proper for me to express an opinion on the question whether requisition or acquisition of the vehicle has the effect in law of modifying or terminating the agreement. I can only suggest that the parties to such agreements would be well advised to ascertain both their legal obligation to make further payments under the agreement and their right to apportionment of the compensation under Section 13 of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939.