§ 67. Mr. McGovernasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. Robert Coulthart, who used to live at an address of which he has been informed, tried to rescue his mother and two nieces from a bombed and collapsed tenement on 13th March; that some of the rescue squads were taken to other work at 6.30 p.m. on 14th March for four days; that the master of works and deputy town clerk refused to allow unemployed miners and other voluntary workers to do rescue work there on 15th March; that on 20th March a man rescued only lived a few hours and the body of a young lady was medically certified to have been dead only a few hours; that on 21st March a young man was rescued alive after eight days; and whether he will make an inquiry into these incidents to prevent such things in future?
§ Mr. MabaneMy right hon. Friend has received a report on this incident, from which it appears that parties were only withdrawn temporarily when the danger 703 of collapse of the building made this necessary, and later when all hope of rescue of living persons had been abandoned. The decision whether to suspend or continue operations in such circumstances is always a difficult one and must rest with the officers of the local authority concerned. I understand there were some offers of help on the spot; but these were declined as the workers available were considered to bead equate. My right hon. Friend has discussed very fully with the Glasgow Corporation the events of this raid and the work and organisation of the Civil Defence Services, and following these discussions steps are being taken to strengthen the services and to give effect to the lessons learned. I should like to add a sincere tribute to the work of the Civil Defence Services in the very difficult circumstances which they had to encounter ' on the occasion of the first heavy air raid on this area.
§ Mr. McGovernMay I ask the hon. Gentleman how he can square that answer with the facts? He says that there was a sufficient number of rescue workers and, at the same time, that they were withdrawn from the Friday night until the Tuesday, and that even after that three people were rescued, two of whom were alive, while the other had been dead only a few hours? Is he aware that there is a Ministry of Information film which shows Welsh miners assisting in rescue operations, and can he state why, when volunteers came from the mining areas around, their help was refused and the men were ordered off the spot?
§ Mr. MabaneI have examined this matter very carefully. The incident occurred at 11.25 on the night of the 13th. The first rescue party arrived at 12.27 a.m., and others arrived later. They worked continuously through a heavy raid for six hours. They continued to work until 10.30 p.m. on the 14th, when the next raid made their services required urgently elsewhere. They recommenced work at 8 a.m. on the 15th, and continued through the next night, again through raiding, until 4.50 a.m. On the 16th, 17th and 18th they worked by day, and from the morning of the 19th they worked continuously by day and night until the evening of the 26th. They rescued two men alive on the 21st. 704 I have examined this matter very carefully, and think the men behaved with great gallantry. I do not think it lies with the hon. Member to criticise the gallantry or behaviour of these parties.
§ Mr. McGovernI agree that all' concerned worked gallantly in the time they were allowed to. work, but for three days these men were withdrawn and no volunteers were permitted to work. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise the matter at the earliest possible moment.