HC Deb 22 May 1941 vol 371 cc1564-5
27. Mr. Stokes

asked the Home Secretary who was responsible for specifying the use of lime mortar for use in the construction of brick surface-shelters; and why lime cement mortar was not specified?

Mr. H. Morrison

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 20th March to the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher).

33. Mr. Brooke

asked the Home Secretary whether he exercises any control over the offering to the public of air-raid shelters of private manufacture or construction, which purport to give as good protection as the official types of shelter; and whether there is any means by which a person possessing or contemplating the purchase of such a shelter can obtain an authoritative opinion on its resisting qualities?

Mr. Morrison

As the Joint Parliamentary Secretary explained on 10th April in reply to the hon. Member for East Middlesbrough (Mr. A. Edwards), I have instituted a scheme whereby manufacturers of proprietary types of shelters designed for erection indoors may submit their products for test. Some designs are already on the point of receiving approval. Intending purchasers of these or any other types of shelter would be well advised to obtain the services of a competent consultant. With the co-operation of the professional (institutions concerned, lists of consultants willing to give advice for a fee of half a guinea were drawn up last year, and furnished to local authorities. It was not possible to provide for every local authority's area but if, on application to his local authority, a person is unable to get the name of such a consultant, he should communicate with the Central Board of Advisory Panels of Professional Consultants at 1–7, Great George Street, S.W.1.

Mr. Brooke

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that four people were killed in my constituency on a recent night entirely through putting their trust in a shelter which was not adequate for its purpose, and will he ask the Minister of Information to give the utmost publicity to the rights of individuals, as described in his answer, so that lives may not be unnecessarily lost in 'future through over-confidence?

Mr. Morrison

I will do anything I can in that direction.