§ 30. Mr. BILLINGasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the insanitary condition of 909 tubes and other places of public shelter on the morning following enemy air raids over London, occasioned by the influx of and habits of the alien population of London; and whether he is taking any Steps to prevent an epidemic arising from these causes'?
§ Sir G. CAVEMy attention has been called to this matter, and the Commissioner of Police is taking steps to prevent the spread of disease. The tube stations are in every case thoroughly cleansed and disinfected by the management before traffic is resumed. In the case of other shelters the responsibility for taking similar precautions is upon the public health authorities, whose attention has been called to the matter.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the right hon. Gentleman give instructions to the police that until all British women and children obtain shelter that aliens should not be allowed to crush and fill the tubes?
§ Sir G. CAVEThat is obviously quite impossible. The police could not tell at a moment's notice who is alien and who is not.
§ Mr. LOUGHWill increased comfort be provided for the great numbers of poor people who go to those places, and where there is no accommodation whatever?
§ Sir G. CAVESomething has been done, and everything will be done that can be done.
§ 31. Sir HENRY CRAIKasked the Home Secretary whether he has had any report upon the assemblages of people in so-called shelters during air raids; whether he is aware of the insanitary and otherwise undesirable conditions under which these assemblages take place and the great expenditure of time and labour in supervision which they entail; and whether, in view of the slight and problematic addition of security which these shelters afford, he is prepared to discourage these assemblages, and to encourage people to stay in their own houses?
§ Sir G. CAVEI am aware of the undesirable conditions which obtain in some of the air raid shelters, and of the difficulty of adequately supervising them when they are crowded with people. I cannot repeat too often that the shelters are provided only for the protection of persons who are in the streets when a raid occurs. 910 and that it is most undesirable that persons who are already under cover at home should leave their homes for the purpose of resorting to the shelters. In this connection I would particularly refer to the notice which appeared in the Press on the 15th instant.
§ Sir H. CRAIKIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that those who look after shelters know that a very large proportion of those who are brought there are children with very insufficient clothing, and who are taken out of their beds, and that it must constitute a very serious danger to their hearth?
§ Sir G. CAVEI entirely agree with what the right hon. Gentleman says, and I have no doubt that those who are good enough to assist in controlling the shelters, of whom, I think, the right hon. Gentleman is one, Will use their influence to prevent the continuance of the practice.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that even when there are no raids—for instance, last Tuesday night—the tubes were full of aliens hanging round and sitting round, although no warning was given; will he at least see that aliens shall not be allowed to fill these places unless an air warning is given; and will he give the police instructions not to allow aliens to leave their houses until a warning is given?
§ Sir G. CAVEI am afraid that is not a practical suggestion.
§ Mr. P. A. HARRISHas the right hon. Gentleman considered approaching the London County Council to inspect these shelters to see if they are suitable for their purpose and also as to their sanitation?
§ Sir G. CAVEAll the authorised shelters have been approved by the local authorities, assisted by a board of surveyors.