§ Sir R. Gowerasked the Home Secretary whether the regional commissioners have been given powers to preserve any property which the owners in evacuated districts might have had to abandon and also to dispose of perishable and consumable goods for the benefit of all concerned; how, and through whom, this power is to be exercised; whether it has already begun to operate; and whether he can lay on the Table of the House the text of the instructions on this subject given to the regional commissioners?
§ Sir J. AndersonRegulation 5 of the Defence (Evacuated Areas) Regulations, 1940, provides that a regional commissioner may appoint persons to preserve property and arrange for the disposal of goods in areas declared to be "evacuation areas" under the Regulations. It is proposed that regional commissioners shall make these appointments with the46W least possible delay and the nature of the organisation required is at present under examination. It is not contemplated that any formal instructions will be issued to regional commissioners in the matter, though I am discussing with them the manner in which their powers should be exercised.