Colonel Millsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether local authorities may provide and pay for first-aid repairs under the War Damage Act to farm buildings in order to protect farm produce and stock in the same way as they may provide first-aid repairs for residential property?
§ Sir K. WoodLocal authorities are empowered to make first-aid repairs to residential buildings (which include farm houses but not other farm buildings) by the Housing (Emergency Powers) Act, 1939. No corresponding powers in respect of farm buildings are conferred on local authorities by the War Damage Act. That Act however gives power to the War Damage Commission to pay in appropriate cases the cost of work carried out by the owner, tenant, or other person interested in the property.