HC Deb 11 June 1940 vol 361 cc1127-9
58. Mr. Quibell

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that seven railway wagons have stood in the sidings at Scunthorpe and Frodingham, one of them since December, 1939, and the remaining six since early in January, awaiting his instructions as to what has to be done with the contents, which are a few parts of air-raid shelters; and will he deal with this matter at an early date?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security (Mr. Mabane)

The air-raid shelter material to which my hon. Friend refers is part of the surplus that remained with the railway company after the main delivery in Scunthorpe was completed in February last. The surplus was due to the fact that a large number of householders refused to accept shelters which they had originally applied for. As further requirements in this district were expected, the removal of the material was postponed. The local authority has now requested further deliveries to householders, and the small remainder is being transferred elsewhere.

Mr. Quibell

Is the hon. Member aware that since this Question was put down, the original tickets, dated last December, have been removed from these wagons, and undated tickets have been put there to replace them; and will the hon. Member make inquiries at Wombwell, Doncaster, Chapeltown, Barnsley, and other places, where this scandal is as great as it is at Scunthorpe?

Mr. Mabane

I will make inquiries into the matter.

Mr. Mathers

Who pays demurrage on these wagons; and why was the material allowed to remain in the trucks, instead of being unloaded on to the ground?

Mr. Mabane

In this case the householders applied for shelters and the shelters were delivered. On their arrival, the householders changed their minds, and 624 people in the Scunthorpe area refused to accept the shelters. There had to be some delay before the shelters could be sent elsewhere.

Mr. Mathers

In the first part of my Supplementary Question I asked who was paying the demurrage on these wagons?

Mr. Mabane

Perhaps the hon. Member will give notice of that Question.

Mr. T. Smith

Is the hon. Member aware that, while these wagons were standing in the sidings, here and in other places, they were wanted by the coal trade, and complaints were being made in this House about shortage of wagons? Will he have inquiries made as to why these wagons should now be standing in sidings in South Yorkshire?

Mr. Quibell

What is now being done with the air-raid shelters? They have now been unloaded; I went to have a look at them.

Mr. Mabane

The householders refused to accept them; but now they have apparently changed their minds and have asked for them. The shelters have been re-delivered; but a surplus of 30 remains, and they are being sent to another destination.

Mr. Quibell

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this subject in the House at the first opportunity. The facts have not been stated.

59. Mr. Butcher

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to vary the schedule of areas where employers are obliged to provide shelter for their employés?

Mr. Mabane

No general variation of the character suggested by my hon. Friend is proposed. If he has any particular areas in mind, I shall be glad if he will communicate with me.