§ 49. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent the evidence in his possession goes to show that frequently in some districts shelters have been used for immoral purposes during "all-clear" periods; and whether he considers that the police and local authorities have needed or still need the assistance of private organisations in this matter?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Peake)No information has reached me suggesting that shelters are frequently used for immoral purposes during "all clear" periods, but if my hon. Friend would kindly let me have any evidence he may possess, I will certainly look into the matter.
§ Mr. SorensenIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Public Morality Council have made certain sweeping statements which are very much resented by those who use these shelters, and therefore, will he see that this information is conveyed to the Public Morality Council so that they may be more careful in future?
§ Mr. PeakeThe hon. Gentleman is quite right in saying that this matter has been very greatly exaggerated.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes the hon. Gentleman agree that this will give great satisfaction to those who resent this imputation?
§ 50. Mr. Culverwellasked the Home Secretary whether the cost of demolishing and reconstructing defective air-raid shelters will be borne by the Government?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security (Miss Wilkinson)So far as regards shelters provided by local authorities, this work will form part of the work of shelter construction, the whole cost of which, as my hon. Friend knows, is now reimbursed by the Government subject to the usual arrangements for securing the exercise of a reasonable economy. In some cases, how- 171 ever, the defects have been found to be due to shortcomings on the part of contractors and it would clearly not be right in these cases for the cost of reconstruction to fall on public funds.
§ Mr. CulverwellIs the hon. Lady aware that I am referring to those shelters which the Government urged local authorities to put up on faulty specifications, and which local authorities realised would become useless and unsafe? Is she aware that these shelters have to be pulled down, and that this is a waste of public money; that it has nothing to do with contractors, but is due to the faulty specifications which the Government gave; and in those circumstances, surely it is for the Government to bear the cost?
§ Miss WilkinsonI think the hon. Member is greatly exaggerating the effects of a certain circular which allowed ungauged lime mortar to be used. We have found, as a matter of fact, that where the workmanship was good, the shelters have stood up quite well. Unfortunately, certain people have taken advantage of what they considered to be, and what was, a certain relaxation of our stringent restrictions, and have gone far in excess of anything contemplated by the circular. The Government are looking at this matter very carefully. They have given instructions for the shelters to be closed, and are now considering what should be done in the case of those contractors.