§ 22. Sir Robert Rankinasked the Home Secretary whether he is satisfied that the scheme recently issued by the Regional Commissioner for Civil Defence, North-western area, in respect of retailers' mutual aid schemes in the event of air attack, has met with adequate response from the retailers; and, if not, in view of the importance of re-establishing shopping facilities in areas affected by air raids, whether he will see that the scheme receives increased publicity?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe general response in the region to the Regional Commissioner's circular, which supplemented advice to authorities from my Department and the Board of Trade, has been encouraging. I am satisfied that adequate publicity has been given to these schemes, but, as my hon. Friend will appreciate, the final responsibility rests with the shopkeepers themselves, and I welcome this opportunity of emphasising once more the importance which attaches to the preparation of local schemes of this kind.