§ 99. Mr. Walker-Smithasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that rates are being claimed from persons compulsorily evacuated during wartime from premises in the coastal area in respect of those premises, although the premises were in fact unoccupied and shortness of the notice to quit prevented removal of furniture; and what action he proposes to take to remedy this injustice.
§ Mr. BevanRates may be demanded in the circumstances referred to but the ratepayer has the protection of the moratorium, and I understand that in a large number of cases the authorities have accepted reduced sums in full settlement of liability. Such action by the authorities combined with the jurisdiction of the courts under the moratorium provisions gives considerable elasticity to meet varying circumstances, and I do not think any further steps are necessary