§ Mr. Roland Robinsonasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, to what extent the compulsory billeting of Civil servants has been adopted in the country; and whether he will state the general policy and the chief areas affected?
§ Captain CrookshankI regret that I have no statistics to show the precise extent to which it has been necessary to have recourse to compulsory powers in billeting Civil servants. I understand, however, that only in a very few cases has this expedient been adopted. The general policy has been to enlist the good-will of the householders concerned and I am glad to say that it has been generally successful. It is hoped that householders and proprietors of boarding houses will continue to render such assistance as they are able to give in this very difficult matter, but I must point out that accommodation for people transferred to carry out essential work must be secured, and only in the last resort is recourse had to compulsory powers. With regard to the last part of the Question, it would not be1260W in the public interest to publish a list of the places to which Civil servants and their offices have been evacuated.