THE LAW OF BILLETING [To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR]
SIR,—With regard to your queries in last week's "A Spectator's Notebook," billeting for our army, navy and air force rests on the Army Act, the Air Force Act, and the Naval Billeting, &c., Act, 1914.
An ordinary case of billeting occurs on production of a docu- ment known as a route issued by a Secretary of State ; in this case private houses are exempt.
In cases of an emergency any general or field officer may be authorised to issue a requisition. A requisition extends to all public buildings, dwelling-houses, barns and stables. As to civilians. There was a Billeting of Civilians Act, 1917, during the War, but this expired and was formally repealed by the Statute Law Revision Act, 1927.
As to the other point. According to two ancient cases decided in the reign of James I the Crown may in time of war enter on the land of a subject to erect fortifications or to dig for saltpetre.
Apparently as it was only a case of emergency the Territorials you mention strictly had no right of entry.—Yours truly,
P. W. LEVENS-
" Tree Cross," Pickersleigh Road, Malvern Link, Wors.
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