HC Deb 14 September 1939 vol 351 cc746-7
3. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Home Secretary what protests he has received from North Queensferry following his refusal to supply bomb-proof shelters; and will he circulate to Members of the House the report of his Scottish representative on this area?

Sir J. Anderson

No protests have been received, either by the Home Office or by my regional adviser in Edinburgh, against the policy which has been adopted for providing air-raid shelter at North Queensferry. As the hon. Member is aware, the problem of providing shelter in this area was very closely investigated on the spot by the technical advisers of my Department and a comprehensive plan for dealing with it was drawn up and is now being put into operation. It would be contrary to practice and open to strong objection in principle, to publish a report made by a departmental officer for the information of his official superiors, but the conclusions which I reached after consideration of that report have been fully explained in a letter which I addressed to the hon. Member and, as I have already informed him, I have no objection to his publishing that letter.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Minister not aware of the deep feeling which exists in North Queensferry on this matter at the moment; is he also aware that only a concrete shelter is in course of construction in the children's playground, and if he is not prepared to provide better facilities for protection in a place which could easily become a death trap, will he see that the school children, at any rate, are evacuated?

Sir J. Anderson

I was very anxious that the most rapid progress possible in the circumstances should be made in the provision of shelter in the area in accordance with the approved scheme. On the point about evacuation, I shall certainly consult with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Minister aware that there is no shelter there yet, although they are working at it and that the school is occupied by the military, and that therefore something should be done immediately for the children?

Sir J. Anderson

I will look into that.