§ Mr. Lipsonasked the Attorney-General what action has been taken to release owners of property destroyed by enemy action from liability for ground rents?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI would refer my hon. Friend to the Landlord and Tenant (War Damage) (Amendment) Act, 1941, which received the Royal assent on 7th August, 1941, which amended the Act of 1939 and extended the provisions of the earlier Act as so amended to ground leases.
§ Mr. Hewlettasked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the hardship caused in certain cases as the law stands at present, he will consider amending Section 13 of the Landlord and Tenant (War Damage) Act so as to make it retrospective?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe question of making Section 13 of the Landlord and Tenant (War Damage) (Amendment) Act, 1941, retrospective was carefully considered at the time when the Bill was before Parliament. To have done so would have had the effect of opening a number of transactions which had been closed. The position prior to the passing of this Section was in accordance with the ordinary law applicable when leases are surrendered, and although it was thought right to alter that law, there seemed to be no ground for doing so retrospectively.