§ Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that bad profiteering is taking place on the part of furniture removers; that, as a result, many of those rendered homeless and / or wishing to leave danger areas cannot afford to move their furniture which is left spoiling in the open; that the Unemployment Assistance Board 379W can make grants for this purpose but have no authority to requisition vehicles or control charges; and whether he will take steps to give power to the Unemployment Assistance Board or local authorities to move furniture in such circumstances?
Mr. M. MacDonaldMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security asked local authorities in a circular of 3rd August to assist in removing and protecting furniture recovered from damaged houses. The Assistance Board are prepared in suitable cases to give allowances towards the cost of removing essential furniture to the new homes of its owners. The questions whether vehicles should be requisitioned or any form of control ought to be exercised on the charges made by furniture removers is not within the province of my Department but I am consulting my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport on this point.