HC Deb 11 September 1941 vol 374 c288
32. Mr. Culverwell

asked the Home Secretary whether he will withdraw the instructions regarding air-raid casualties and damage to houses inquiries contained in Home Security Circular 116/1941 and revert to the former practice of the police dealing with such inquiries which is working most satisfactorily?

Mr. H. Morrison

No, Sir. The Circular merely gives guidance to local authorities on the carrying out of a reponsibility which was already theirs, and in my view it represents an arrangement which best meets the needs of the situation.

Mr. Culverwell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the police have all the information which is required and have in existence the machinery for answering such inquiries and that that machinery is working perfectly satisfactorily, whereas local authorities will have to set up a new organisation to deal with these inquiries? Does he not think it better to leave things as they are?

Mr. Morrison

The general practice is that the local authority takes care of this part of administration. It is convenient for people to communicate to one recognised point in the locality the town hall. I think this is the most convenient arrangement, which ought to be on a national pattern.