asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to avoid having to act at the last moment and in a hurry, he will now draft a national scheme to cover risks of war damage to buildings assessable for rates and taxes and circulate it among those concerned; and will he then submit the scheme to Parliament for examination so that there may be adequate time to consider the problem to be met should an emergency arise?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on 27th June and to that which I gave to the hon. Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Cocks) on 20th June. All that can be done at this stage is in hand, and there is no danger of the details of the scheme of compensation having to be settled in a hurry.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the very great anxiety which exists on this question in all parts of the country?