Mr. Rostron Duckworthasked the Attorney-General what use is being made of the Wartime Liabilities (Adjustment) Act; and whether, with the object of making it of greater value than at present, he will take what steps are necessary to persuade the public that it is not a measure either of public assistance or bankruptcy?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe figures for the London area are as follow: The London Adjustment Offices have inquired into 260 cases, most of which are still being investigated, and have approved eight schemes; 27 protection orders and two adjustment orders have been made by courts in London. Instructions were given to supply figures for the three months ended 30th September for the rest of England, but they are not yet available. The figures for the next three months will be a fairer test of the extent to which the Act is proving useful, as by then the courts will have made orders in the cases already commenced. I will consider from time to time whether steps are necessary and can usefully be taken to remove any misconceptions about the Act, but I doubt whether people are holding aloof because they fear that the measure is one of public assistance or bankruptcy, but I will be ready to consider whether any misconceptions exist and if so whether steps can usefully be taken to remove them.