41. Mr. David Adamsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that large surplus supplies of cement are now available, he will at once encourage local authorities to strengthen materially their surface brick shelters by the application of a thick extra coating of cement and also by the use of a certain proportion of such metal as disused tramway lines, etc., as may be available, for strutting these and also basements now strutted with timber?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI am in touch with the appropriate local authorities regarding the strengthening of brick surface shelters, but pending the result of certain experiments which I hope will be completed in the near future I do not propose to issue any general advice to local authorities on this subject. If my hon. Friend has in mind any particular local authority which is in need of urgent advice, I shall be glad to arrange for the appropriate Regional Technical Adviser to confer with them. As regards the strutting of basements, suitable instructions have already been given to local authorities but I am advised that, where timber strutting of a satisfactory design has already been installed, it is not necessary to replace it by steel, provided that it is strengthened with additional bracing where necessary.
Mr. AdamsIs the Minister aware that, in connection with recent raids on the North-East coast, there is a general opinion that if these improvements could have been effected, life and limb would have been saved?
§ Mr. MorrisonIf I am given any specific information, I shall be glad to look into it. It is not too helpful to make representations on general impressions, and if I may say so, I do not think it is quite fair; but if any specific information is given, it shall be looked into carefully.
§ 35. Mr. Lindsayasked the Home Secretary what Regulations he has made with a view to closing unauthorised shelters?
§ Mr. MorrisonIt has been decided to make a Defence Regulation enabling a Regional Commissioner to direct that the 969 use of shelters of this kind by the public shall be prevented or restricted in any manner that he may require if, in his opinion, that use involves dangers to safety or health. I may add that the Regulation is aimed not at persons who use the shelter but at those who encourage or permit their assembly
§ Mr. LindsayI am very glad to hear that the Regulation has now been made. May I ask whether it will be applied immediately to a shelter well known to the Regional Commissioner, where, I understand this morning, scabies has broken out? This is a case in point.
§ Mr. MorrisonIf my hon. Friend will give me particulars of the case, I shall be glad to look into it.
§ 36. Mr. Lindsayasked the Home Secretary how many of the new domestic shelters are distributed to households; and what steps he has taken to provide more deep shelters?
§ Mr. MorrisonAs regards the first part of the Question, full delivery of all the components of the indoor shelter has only recently begun, and I regret that I am not in a position to give the information desired. As regards the second part of the Question, I explained fully, in my broadcast on 3rd November last, the general principles on which I am working: it would not be in the public interest to give details.
§ Mr. LindsayI do not want to press my right hon. Friend about the actual details, but do I understand that he is attempting to make provision not only for dispersal, but, wherever possible, for deep shelters?
§ Mr. MorrisonAs I have said, we are quite ready to consider deep shelter proposals on their merits, but questions of labour supply, materials, and so on must be taken into account. There are also problems of morale connected with deep shelters. I think, moreover, that it ought to be indicated that, whereas many people started the war on the basis that the deeper we went the better, the civil population has shown a tendency—and I am very grateful to them for it—to finish up on the roof, fighting fire bombs. I do not want to discourage that courageous spirit.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIs my right hon. Friend satisfied with the demand for the new billiard-table shelter?
§ Mr. MorrisonYes, Sir.
§ 38. Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the non-delivery of certain parts of the new indoor shelters although other parts were delivered over a month ago; that local authorities are paying storage charges for the parts delivered; and, in view of the fact that shelters cannot be erected until quantities of such of the parts have been received, will he expedite delivery of the remaining components?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI am aware that delivery of some of the small components of the shelter has been slower than that of the larger parts. Supplies of these small parts are now being received in increasing quantities, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply is taking special steps to expedite their delivery.