HC Deb 17 October 1940 vol 365 cc810-1
39. Mr. Brooke

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give fresh consideration to the limited powers possessed by air-raid wardens, in relation to the duties which fall upon them now that heavy attack from the air has started; and, in particular, whether he will give wardens on duty in the immediate vicinity of air-raid damage authority to ask people to show their identity cards, as without this authority they are powerless to protect damaged property or prevent theft when no police are at hand?

Mr. H. Morrison

I am not satisfied that any material advantage would be secured by the grant of specific powers, either general or on the particular point mentioned, to members of the Wardens' Service.

Mr. Brooke

Will the Minister keep in close touch with the representatives of the Wardens' Service in this matter, so as to make sure from time to time that he is securing the best possible results by the co-ordination of the various services—the wardens, police and the Home Guard—which have to deal with these matters?

Mr. Morrison

The Regional organisation of the Ministry is in close touch with the local authorities and the Wardens' Service, and I am sure that my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security (Mr. Mabane), with myself, will be very glad to give consideration to the point.

Mr. R. C. Morrison

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that, in some districts, a good deal of trouble is caused by young hooligans, who go down to public air-raid shelters, cause disturbances and prevent people from getting rest, and that the wardens have no appropriate authority to deal with that class of persons?

Mr. H. Morrison

I appreciate that point, but it would be a little serious, I think, to confer police powers upon wardens. The best remedy for the wardens in that case is to send for the police and have the hooligans removed, and I am sure that the Commissioner of Police would be willing to co-operate to the greatest extent in that respect.

Mr. Gordon Macdonald

Would not an occasional visit by the police, without being sent for, be a good thing?

Mr. Morrison

Occasional visits by the police are made in a number of cases, and I will suggest to the Commissioner of Police that that point should be watched.