§ 24. Major Stourtonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent underground protection would be made available to the civilian population of London in the event of an air attack?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)Where accommodation exists below ground level which can be suitably protected against splinters, falling debris and poison gas, the occupiers of premises will be advised to make use of it. As, however, underground accommodation is rarely proof against a direct hit by a high explosive bomb, the overriding consideration in the choice of air raid refuges must be to keep the population well dispersed in splinter-proof and gas-proof accommodation, whether it is below or above ground level.