HOUSES TAKEN BY THE WAR OFFICE
SIR,—A feeling of patriotism has so far prevented me, and others known to me whose houses have been requisitioned, from writing to the Press about the treatment these places are getting trom the soldiers occupying them. But now that " Janus " of The Spectator in the "Notebook " has mentioned the sad state of many fine houses, I feel I may be permitted to protest against the damage being wrought in them. When our own Georgian house was requisitioned by the mili- tary authorities we were allowed, in fact invited, to make periodical inspection of it and to point out or report any misuse or damage de- tected, and This was done. But recently on going to see that everything was in order, I was told in curt language, and later politely by letter, that in no circumstances could permission to inspect the property be given.
I will not detail the various matters worthy of my serious complaint, for others have disclosed similar examples in the Pres. But I do feel we should be provided with a means of approach to the responsible authorities which can be used by all, especially including women whose lack of business training renders them peculiarly powerless, if not vulnerable. How powerless one realises when one receives a letter, as we did, from the authorities, who presumably stand in the role of property guardians. and to whom one should address complaints, re- questing permission to put a window in a certain wall, after the window had been put tn.
To put things on a more. satisfactory basis I suggest that the Govern- ment should inaugurate a committee or organisation, the personnel of which should consist of retired naval, military and business men, willing to serve the country.. And the duty of each member of the said committee should be to visit and inspect every requisitioned property in his district from time to time. Each man so appointed would act on behalf of the property owner with whom he would be in contact, and as a liaison officer between the owner and the authorities of H.M. Forces in temporary possession of the property.
I contend that the money spent on such an organisation would not only be well spen from the owner's point of view. but enormously reduce the vast sums which will ultimately have to be spent on damage compensation, and which the Government will have to find. Damage to our properties by enemy air raids has been considerable, and we are fighting to preserve our country and properties, so why should we ourselves destroy that which we are endeavouring to preserve?—
Yours faithfully, E. L. M. PALMER. The Old Manor, Ellisfield, Basingstoke.
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