§ 63. Mr. Pethick-Lawrenceasked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been drawn to the inadequacy of protection against air raids in the tenement houses in Edinburgh; and whether he has any proposals to make for improving the position?
§ Sir J. AndersonYes, Sir. I have given special consideration to this problem, and arranged for one of my senior technical advisers to pay a special visit to Edinburgh to discuss the matter on the spot with the city authorities. As a result, certain proposals have been evolved for providing shelter in these buildings, which I think will be found to be satisfactory; and the Regional Technical Officer of my Department has been instructed to discuss these proposals further with the local authority. Special steps will be taken to make known to the persons living in these buildings the measures proposed for providing them with air-raid shelter.
§ Mr. FootDoes that apply only to Edinburgh, or will similar steps be taken in other places in Scotland where the same conditions apply?
§ Sir J. AndersonWhat I have said applies only to Edinburgh, but other cities where there are similar conditions will be dealt with on similar lines.
§ Sir J. AndersonIn the more important cases, yes.
§ Mr. MathersWhen the right hon. Gentleman is in Edinburgh, will he be 1810 willing at the same time to see representatives of the local authorities near Edinburgh?
§ Sir J. AndersonI shall do my best to meet the wishes of the local authorities.
§ Mr. MacquistenWill the Lord Privy Seal's officers inspect Edinburgh Castle, where there are plenty of emplacements for anti-aircraft guns, which would reach all over the city and protect it?