HC Deb 14 March 1940 vol 358 cc1353-4
53. Mr. Hannah

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered a resolution from the education office of Bilston asking for a commission of inquiry into the question of the proportion of air-raid precautions costs that should be paid by the Home Office, and by local authorities, respectively; and what action he proposes to take?

Sir J. Anderson

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 29th February to Questions by the hon. Members for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson), Stratford (Mr. Groves) and West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen).

64. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the resolutions of the Essex Education Committee concerning inadequate grants for air-raid precautions in schools; how many similar representations he has received from local authorities; whether he is aware that the Essex County Council has to levy a rate of approximately 4½d. in the £ to meet air-raid precautions expenditure, largely to safeguard schools; and, in view of the increasing burden on Essex ratepayers and the disproportionate expenditure in respect of vulnerable eastern counties as compared with other counties, he will increase the percentage grant for school air-raid precautions and equalise the financial burden as between all counties?

Sir J. Anderson

I have received a copy of the resolutions passed by the Essex Education Committee and similar representations from some 120 other local education authorities. My attention has been drawn to a statement that the precept of the Essex County Council on the rating authorities for the coming financial year has been increased by 4d., but I have no knowledge how far this increase is attributable to the cost of protective work at schools. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on 29th February last.

Mr. Sorensen

Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that he is going to reconsider the matter or not? Is he aware that the whole of the Essex County Council feel very strongly indeed that a larger share of these burdens should be borne by the State rather than by the ratepayers?

Sir J. Anderson

I have already said that the matter would be considered on its merits, in connection with discussions that are about to take place with the Association of Local Authorities regarding the burden of Civil Defence costs.

Mr. Ede

When will those discussions take place?

Sir J. Anderson

I shall be communicating, I hope, with the Association of Local Authorities within the next few days.