3 JANUARY 1941, Page 9

A rather important little war-damage problem has come my way.

If you send a clock to be mended, or a suit of clothes to be cleaned, or a wireless set or a motor-car to be repaired, and the article in question is destroyed, with the other contents of the premises it happens to be on at the moment, what chance of compensation have you? The answer appears to be—none. In the particular case I have before me a clock was sent to a supplier for repair, and by the supplier to the original maker. The latter's premises were destroyed and no one concerned seems to have any valid claim on the Government for com- pensation. So, at least, the suppliers concerned affirm. But war-damage legislation is queer, and there may be some un- suspected loophole in the owner's favour.

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