§ Mr. Kirbyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that 1527W 50,000 to 60,000 pairs of footwear are lying idle in a certain port in the absence of the owner who is serving in the Army as a clerk; that this footwear has to be classified, valued, etc., under the instructions of the Department; that the owner cannot get release from the Army to attend to this work because the Department will not recommend his release; what steps he proposes to secure the release of the owner or, alternatively, how this stock of footwear will become available to the public?
§ Captain WaterhouseI am aware that a quantity of footwear which has been removed from premises damaged by enemy action in the port referred to is awaiting assessment in connection with a war risks claim. A representative of the Board of Trade and an assessor who wished to inspect the damage were recently refused access to the building in which the goods were stored, and, pursuant to the conditions of the policy, the claimants have now been required to give them access to the premises in order that the damage may be assessed. As at present advised, my right hon. Friend does not consider it necessary to ask for, the release of the managing director from the Forces.