§ 64. Mr. Tinkerasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a number of public air-raid shelters that, owing to poor material and bad construction, are unfit for use; and will he ask for a report from local authorities to see what is the extent of this and what they are doing to meet the situation?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security (Miss Wilkinson)My right hon. Friend is greatly concerned about this matter, and, as he said in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) on 20th March, he has obtained, in consultation with the Regional authorities, a general picture of the position, and has issued instructions as to the course to be followed by local authorities. He has also asked for progress reports on the measures taken, and the first of these reports are now coming in.
§ Mr. LipsonIs the hon. Lady aware that these shelters were constructed on specifications prepared by the officials of her Ministry? Will steps be taken to deal with those who have been responsible for this waste of money?
§ Miss WilkinsonIt was done at a time of great national emergency, and it had to be done with the materials available.
§ 65. Mr. Sorensenasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that considerable resentment and indignation is felt by upwards of 2,000 shelterers, many 592 of whom have suffered severely from bombardment, and who are now threatened with the closure of the larger portion of their public shelter, particulars of which have been sent to him; and whether, in view of the anxiety of the shelterers and of their relatives in the Forces at the threatened eviction, he will take immediate action to prevent this taking place?
§ Miss WilkinsonAs my hon. Friend is aware, there are good reasons why the continued use of this shelter is not possible. Steps are being taken to provide alternative accommodation.
§ Mr. SorensenWhile thanking the hon. Gentleman for his reply— [Interruption.]
§ Mr. Sorensen rose—
§ Mr. SorensenOn a point of Order—
§ Mr. SorensenOn a point of Order—
§ Mr. SorensenOn a point of Order—
Mr. Deputy-SpeakerI have ordered the hon. Member to resume his seat. He must wait until the next Question has been answered. He is delaying the Business of the House.
§ At the end of Questions—
§ Mr. SorensenOn a point of Order. May I ask why I am not permitted to ask a Supplementary Question arising out of a matter of very great importance to my own constituents? In the circumstances, seeing that I began to ask a Supplementary Question and was interrupted by other Members, does it not seem a little unfair, with all respect to you, Sir, that I was not allowed to pursue this very important question?
Mr. Deputy-SpeakerI have also to consider the question of fairness to other Members. The hon. Member paused and in my opinion was preventing, and I think did prevent, another Member from asking his Question before the time expired.
§ Mr. SorensenAre you aware, Sir, that, in fact, after I had begun to ask my Question, there was a number of interferences with it? In the circumstances I submit that the responsibility for my pause does not rest with me but with other Members. May I ask whether you called them to order before you asked me to resume my seat?