§ 55. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the £1,000,000 a day being spent on air-raid precautions, evacuation, food and shipping is due to air-raid precautions and evacuation, respectively; and whether he contemplates any reduction in the cost of those two services?
§ Sir J. SimonThe current daily rate of expenditure on air-raid precautions and evacuation has recently averaged nearly £300,000 and £36,000 respectively. The scale of air-raid precautionary measures is constantly under review in the light of existing circumstances. Consideration is at present being given especially to the number of paid personnel, and it is hoped that it may be possible to make substantial economies in their numbers. As regards evacuation, the cost of this service necessarily varies according to the number of children and other persons remaining in the reception areas, but the possibility of effecting economies is always borne in mind.
§ Colonel WedgwoodDid the right hon. Gentleman give me figures for local authorities as well as for the central Government? I did not ask for them.
§ Sir J. SimonI do not think I mentioned them specifically. The first sentence of the answer was, if I may repeat 1809 it, that the current daily rate of expenditure on air-raid precautions and evacuation has recently averaged nearly £300,000 and £36,000 respectively.
§ Mr. ThorneIs the right hon. and gallant Member prepared to take another £5 bet?
§ Colonel WedgwoodMay I ask whether the figures do include the expenditure of local authorities, or only the expenditure of the central Government?
§ Sir J. SimonI am sorry not to be able to answer the Question, but the figures certainly include the expenditure of the central Government.