§ Mr. Hutchinsonasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that persons who have purchased houses for their own occupation, within areas to which entry is now banned by the military authorities, but who have been prevented by the ban from residing in them, are now being threatened with requisition by local authorities; and whether he will inform the local authorities in the areas concerned that they should refrain from requisitioning properties which it is the intention of the owners to occupy as soon as the military authoritiess will permit them to do so.
§ Mr. WillinkI am not clear which cases my hon. and learned Friend has in mind, but I will gladly look into any which he might care to bring to my notice. I should explain that while I should not feel justified in instructing local authorities to refrain from requisitioning empty premises in any area where such premises are urgently needed for immediate use in the public interest, it is the desire of the Government that every consideration should be given to the claims of owners wishing to occupy their own houses when circumstances permit.