§ Sir R. Glynasked the Prime Minister whether he will draw the attention of Ministers responsible for Departments who have to requisition property to the growing habit of individuals arriving at houses, etc., and demanding to be shown over while refusing to inform the owners of the purpose of their visit or to provide credentials as to their authority thereby causing unnecessary friction and confusion; and whether, to prevent fraud and abuse of the Defence Regulations, he will consider giving warning in writing of the intention to visit property and also informing the local police of such intention?
§ Mr. AttleeMy right hon. Friend regrets that the great urgency with which requisitioning has often to be undertaken makes it impracticable to adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion; but he is reminding all Departments responsible for requisitioning of the necessity of seeing that their representatives sent to inspect property are in possession of proper credentials and carry out their unwelcome task with every consideration.
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§ Mr. Liddallasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has arranged for the Departments concerned to provide anti-waste officials in areas where private residences have been taken over and occupied for Government purposes, so as to keep down the charge on the taxpayer caused by avoidable injury to the residences?
§ Captain CrookshankIt is already the responsibility of the occupying Department to ensure that proper care is taken where private residences are occupied for Government purposes and the appointment of additional officials would not therefore in my view serve any useful purposes.