HC Deb 16 February 1939 vol 343 cc1908-10
83. Sir H. Morris-Jones

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in regard to the proposed appointment of a Regional Commissioner for Wales, he will consider the geographical difficulties of administration in Wales from a headquarters at Cardiff?

The Lord Privy Seal (Sir John Anderson)

The Government believes that it is in accord with the wishes of the people of Wales that Wales should constitute a separate region. A number of considerations, in particular the need for the Regional Commissioner to be in close touch with the regional offices of the various Government Departments, determined the selection of Cardiff as the Commissioner's headquarters. Certain Government Departments intend to open sub-regional offices at Carnarvon in order to simplify administration, and it is not anticipated that administrative difficulties will in fact arise as a result of the proposed arrangements.

84. Sir W. Jenkins

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether any arrangements are being made to supply distressed areas, or any other area, with steel shelters, or any other equipment for air-raid precautions, free of cost, where the rates in any area are above a certain figure?

Sir J. Anderson

The areas for which steel shelters are being made available, free of cost, to householders who cannot be expected to provide their own are the vulnerable areas, which include a number of Special Areas. As regards other equipment, the hon. Member will be aware that civilian respirators have been issued free of cost to the whole population. As to equipment used by the local authorities for the purposes of their approved schemes, the great bulk of this equipment is provided in kind free of cost to the authorities, including auxiliary fire pumps and other apparatus, protective clothing, and medical equipment.

Mr. Westwood

May we have an assurance that these shelters will not be manufactured only of steel, but that alternative materials will be taken into consideration for their manufacture?

Sir J. Anderson

These particular shelters have to be manufactured only of steel, but the complete scheme of providing complete protection against glass and splinter includes other methods of manufacture.

Mr. Gallacher

Is it true that the Bank of England has taken over this business prior to the decision to proceed with steel shelters?

86. Rear-Admiral Sir Murray Sueter

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether before issuing the new regulations making it necessary for a householder with means over £250 per annum to provide an air-raid precautions shelter, he will take into consideration the heavy financial burden imposed upon these householders when compared with those of lesser means who are to be provided with a shelter free of cost; and whether he will make a statement?

Sir J. Anderson

His Majesty's Government decided after full consideration that the issue of free shelters to householders in vulnerable areas should be made by reference to the standard to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. That standard covers all persons whose occupations are compulsorily insurable under the National Health Insurance Acts in addition to the income limit which he mentions, which itself includes an additional allowance of £50 of income for each child of school age in excess of two. The line which must necessarily be drawn has been drawn generously, and I cannot undertake that it will be reconsidered.

Sir M. Sueter

Can my right hon. Friend raise the income limit to, say, £400, so as to help the black-coated worker of moderate means?

Sir J. Anderson

I have just said that I cannot hold out any expectation that the limit will be reconsidered.

Mr. R. C. Morrison

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider giving a considerable amount of elasticity to the local authorities in dealing with exceptional cases?

Sir J. Anderson

There may be certain border-line cases, and these will be considered after the completion of the distribution of shelters to poorer people.

Mr. Westwood

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that under the National Health Insurance Act there is no limit of £250, and that voluntarily insured persons can actually have an unlimited income and yet under the proposals he makes they are to be provided with a free shelter?

Sir J. Anderson

The provision of free shelter will be for those compulsorily insured under the Act, irrespective of income, that is to say, roughly, the manual labourers. In regard to others, the limit fixed is £250 a year.

Mr. Pilkington

Will there be an allowance for the first two children in the family?