§ Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that building societies are demanding payment of interest in respect of demolished houses from persons unable to pay because of the rent of their alternative living accommodation; and what steps are being taken to prevent them losing the benefits of all their payments?
§ Sir K. WoodAs regards the first part of the Question, I have received assurances on behalf of building societies that they will extend the most sympathetic treatment possible to borrowers whose property has suffered war damage and that they will not ask the borrowers to pay more on account of their debts than is in the circumstances clearly within their resources. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind perhaps he will communicate with me. In reply to the second part of the Question, I would refer him to the provisions of the Courts (Emergency Powers) Acts, under which the remedies under a mortgage cannot be exercised by the mortgagee without leave of the court. These Acts have been further extended by Part II of the Liabilities (War-Time Adjustment) Act. Further protection may be available to the borrowers under Part I of the Act.