HC Deb 11 February 1937 vol 320 cc564-5
25. Sir Nicholas Grattan-Doyle

asked the Home Secretary what steps he proposes to take for the protection of the public in those areas in which the local authority has refused or failed to take precautionary action against the effect of air raids?

Mr. Lloyd

These areas will share in the benefit of general precautionary measures taken by the Government, but this will not compensate for the failure of any district, which is liable to attack, to take effective measures on its own account, and I trust that all local authorities will see their way to cooperate with the Government in this matter. I am glad to take this opportunity to say that the number of local authorities who are not co-operating is now seven, and not eight as indicated in my reply of the 25th January to my hon. Friend the Member for Elland (Mr. Levy), as the Borough of Ilkeston is prepared to assist in the preparation of protective schemes.

Sir N. Grattan-Doyle

Is any action going to be taken against those local bodies which have not yet co-operated?

Mr. Lloyd

I have said on previous occasions that the development has been so satisfactory, and the number of local authorities who have refused to cooperate has been diminishing so rapidly, that we prefer to await the effect of public opinion.

Mr. Thorne

Why worry, when nothing will happen?