§ 61. Mr. Tinkerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the ill-effects caused to air-raid shelters through dampness caused by condensation; what instructions have been issued to local authorities to meet this trouble; and who will bear the cost of heating?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security (Mr. Mabane)My right hon. Friend is well aware of the problem of condensation in air-raid shelters. This has been the subject of experiments by the Department's technical advisers, and a memorandum for the guidance of local authorities will be issued in the near future. The dimensions of the condensation problem are much reduced by heating and proper ventilation. The cost of providing and installing heating equipment in public shelters is borne by the Exchequer; maintenance costs are borne by the local authorities on a grant-aided basis.
§ Mr. TinkerI hope that the hon. Member will get down to the instructions. I paid a visit to my constituency, and asked the people whether they went into the shelters, and they said, "No, they are not fit to be used." I agreed with them on that point.
Viscountess AstorIs it not a cause for rejoicing that, in spite of the bad conditions in some of the shelters, the diseases which were prophesied have not come upon us?
§ Captain Cunningham-ReidIs my hon. Friend aware that shelters are now being built without proper amenities?
§ Mr. MabaneI am not aware of that.
§ Captain Cunningham-ReidMay I draw his attention to some cases?
§ Mr. J. H. HollinsWill the Minister take steps to see that the shelters are put into proper condition before next winter?
§ Mr. MabaneCertainly.