HC Deb 03 August 1939 vol 350 cc2616-8
61. Mr. D. M. Adams

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that the Isle of Dogs, Poplar, is a district that surrounds the docks and is itself surrounded by water; that the only outlet is by bridges at each side of the district, and that in the event of damage caused by aerial attack to these bridges there would be no means of escape; and will he therefore consider the erection of deep bombproof shelters to afford protection to those who would be forced to remain in the district?

Sir J. Anderson

Yes, Sir. I am aware of the special character of this area, and the responsible local authority can count on special consideration of their problem by my technical advisers. As regards the last part of the question, deep shelters of any kind would not seem to be an appropriate remedy in a heavily water-logged area.

Mr. Adams

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the census of 1937 showed there were 18,875 people residing in that district, and that to-day the population is much larger, and will he do something for these people, seeing that only 700 Anderson shelters have been erected out of 2,000 on account of the water conditions? Surely the Minister could have deep shelters there, seeing that there are tunnels in the same district?

Sir J. Anderson

The responsibility is primarily that of the local authority, and I have promised the local authority the fullest assistance from my technical officers.

Mr. A. V. Alexander

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the working of the docks in London during an emergency will be of great importance, and that we shall be unable to maintain the labour supply there unless we have effective air-raid precautions, and is not that a matter for the Government?

Sir J. Anderson

I do not recognise that as arising directly out of the question, which is confined to the circumstances of a particular area. I know there are docks there, but the dockers will not be able to make any effective contribution to the working of the docks while in deep shelters.

Mr. D. M. Adams

Is the Minister also aware that in that area there are no facilities to deal with people who are injured, that there is no hospital there? Will he take that into consideration?

Sir J. Anderson

That, really, is an entirely different question, but I should not like the House to suppose that my Department are in any way unsympathetic to the problems that arise in a very special area such as this.