HC Deb 12 November 1940 vol 365 cc1561-2
21. Mr. Purbrick

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has made available the service of soldiers to help in the clearing-up of the ruins of enemy-damaged buildings; if so, how many; and when does he anticipate that the work of such removal of the damage up to date in London will be completed?

Mr. Eden

With regard to the first and second parts of the Question, the present number is about 12,000. With regard to the last part of the Question, I am in formed by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary that he is unable to give any estimate.

Mr. Purbrick

Would it not be possible for more soldiers to be engaged in the work of clearing up these eyesores, which are so depressing?

Mr. Eden

I must make it quite plain that so far as the Army is concerned we are perfectly willing to do anything we can to help.

Sir Herbert Williams

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have received a letter written on behalf of the Regional Commissioner to the effect that delays in this work are due to the limited number of troops available? Have not articles appeared in the Press asking whether we cannot have more men on this job?

Mr. Eden

That is why I gave that answer. The Army is ready to give any help it can.

Sir H. Williams

The implication in the letter addressed to me was that such help had been refused.

Mr. Thorne

Are the men who are working on this very dangerous and arduous work getting any extra pay?

Mr. Eden

I do not think we could draw that distinction.

Commander Sir Archibald Southby

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to bear in mind the paramount importance of the soldiers carrying out military training? Would it not be better to use unemployed men to do this work?

Mr. Eden

We have to try to get a proper balance. What I wanted to make clear was that the Army have not been asked to help and refused.

Miss Rathbone

In view of the fact that in many cases where persons are trapped their lives depend on their being got cut quickly, is not the most important thing to have the most experienced men in that type of work, which is both highly skilled and dangerous?