§ 48 and 49. Mr. Evelyn Walkdenasked the Home Secretary (1) to what extent the facilities for expert scrutiny of private shelter designs outlined in the Government's pamphlet "Your Home as an Air-Raid Shelter" have been made use of by the public;
(2) whether the Government are prepared in any way to assist the private householder willing to pay for the erection of his own shelter, giving expert advice on the basis of the Ministry's own experience in shelter building?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security (Miss Wilkinson)As was announced in the pamphlet "Your Home as an Air-Raid Shelter," the professional institutions have organised a panel of consultants who will, for a fee of half-a-guinea, inspect a house and give a written expert report on the best way of providing shelter in it. There are 3,020 members of the panel, and at least 30,000 householders, and probably a considerably larger number, have already benefited by this expert advice. As regards further assistance to the private householder, a pamphlet supplementing "Your Home as an Air-Raid Shelter" is in preparation.
§ Mr. WalkdenWill local authorities be further told that they may sell salvaged timber to help individuals to reinforce rooms in their homes?
§ Miss WilkinsonAll the arrangements with regard to local authorities have already been dealt with in a circular which has been sent to local authorities.
§ Mr. WalkdenI understand that there is a difficulty in individuals securing timber from local authorities except a ton or half-a-ton at a time.
§ Miss WilkinsonPerhaps my hon. Friend will let me have particulars.
§ Mr. WoodburnIs the Minister prepared to do anything for the large number of people not nominally eligible for shelters?
§ Miss WilkinsonThe Government are prepared to encourage the provision of shelters at cost price to those who are outside the eligible category.
§ 51. Mr. Leslieasked the Home Secretary whether samples of indoor shelters which will be made available to the public can be placed on view in the Tea Room of the House?
§ Miss WilkinsonYes, Sir. My right hon. Friend, with Mr. Speaker's permission, is arranging to have one of the new indoor "table" shelters placed on view in the Tea Room within the next few days.
§ Sir W. DavisonMay we ask that a small portion of the room be reserved for teas?