§ 27. Mr. Wilfrid Robertsasked the Home Secretary whether instructions have been issued to local authorities to complete their air-raid shelter programmes within the next few weeks and that thereafter the construction of further shelter will not be authorised?
§ Sir J. AndersonWhile local authorities are being strongly pressed to carry their programmes to completion, it does not seem to me that any advantage would be gained by threatening to penalise the inhabitants of an area in which, at any given date, the programme remained incomplete.
§ Mr. RobertsCan the Minister give an assurance that no such threat has been made?
§ Sir J. AndersonNo such threat has been made.
§ 35. Mr. Mathersasked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the position of the landward parts of the burghs of Bo'ness comprising Castleloan, Newtown, Carriden and Muirhouses, in respect of Anderson or other shelters; and whether he is now prepared to comply with the request that such shelters should be provided?
§ Sir J. AndersonI understand that these places are represented to be so much a part of Bo'ness that they ought to be treated in the same way as the burgh. No further supplies of the standard steel shelter are available, but if the responsible local authority favours the construction of domestic shelter in some alternative form, I shall offer no objection.
§ 43. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the President of the Board of Education whether steps are being taken to compel local education authorities to provide adequate air-raid shelters in all reception areas?
§ The President of the Board of Education (Mr. Ramsbotham)No, Sir. The matter is one for the discretion of the local education authority in consultation with the local A.R.P. authority.
§ Mr. DaviesIs the Minister aware that children are received in reception areas where there is no air-raid shelter provided by the local authority, whereas there are air-raid precautions in the district from which they come?
§ Mr. RamsbothamI am sure that the authorities are taking appropriate steps.