§ 37. Mr. Gallacherasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware of the grave dissatisfaction in North Queensferry, a particularly vulnerable spot in the event of air raids, at the refusal of the authorities to make adequate provision for air-raid precautions; that an air-raid precautions official has declared that only splinter proof shelters are required in the village, and that attempts have been made to dissuade from the use of a deep and efficient mineral railway tunnel situated nearby for air-raid precautions purposes; and whether he will arrange for a more thorough examination to be made on the spot with a view to arranging for the evacuation of the population of North Queensferry in whole or part on the out break of hostilities, and other means of ensuring protection to the people of North Queensferry?
§ Sir J. AndersonNorth Queensferry is included in the areas in which the Government's shelter policy will be applied in full, but I have not had referred to me any proposals for any special arrangements for shelter in this area nor any statement of the grounds on which it might be urged that such special provision is required.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the Minister aware that North Queensferry lies at the north end of the Forth Bridge and will, as a consequence, be one of the areas in serious danger; and is he aware that there is deep dissatisfaction at the absence of arrangements for deep shelters or the use of the tunnel? Will the right hon. Gentleman arrange for one of his representatives to visit North Queensferry with me when I am there on Tuesday?
§ Sir J. AndersonI will see whether that is practicable, but I would like to make it clear that I must look to the local authority in the first instance to make representations on the subject.