§ Sir W. Waylandasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of a grave injustice suffered by tenants of houses that have been requisitioned for military purposes, who are offered as a rent a sum considerably less than they are compelled to continue to pay to their landlords; and will he take the necessary measures to remove this injustice?
§ Captain MargessonI am aware that the sum offered as compensation in respect of requisitioned houses may in some cases be less than the rent paid by the tenant under previous agreements. As my hon. Friend is aware, however, the War Department is bound by the provisions of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, and under that Act compensation must be assessed by reference to the rent which might reasonably be expected to be payable by a tenant under a lease granted at the time when the property is taken over